Lagrangian Measurements of Dense Suspensions in Turbulent Vortical Flows*

Several studies have investigated the behaviour of dense suspensions in laminar and creeping flows. However, the physics of turbulent (high Reynolds) dense-suspension flows is still poorly understood. Traditionally, Eulerian measurement techniques, such as Particle Image Velocimetry, have been used to examine dense-suspensions flows. Although such Eulerian measurements provided great insights into flow physics, they cannot provide particle trajectories, which are essential in studying particle residence time and particle-wall interactions. In the current work, Lagrangian particle tracking techniques are used to examine dense suspensions of volume fractions up to 40% in a flow loop. Additionally, a shear-thinning analog fluid with a single phase is also examined, in which the results are compared with pure water and dense suspensions. Furthermore, different geometries are installed inside the pipe to create high-Reynolds turbulent vortical flows. A pathline extension method will examine particle residence time and particle-wall interaction.