Flow field visualization of sediment-laden flow using ultrasonic imaging

This investigation concerns the application of particle image velocimetry ( PIV) to ultrasonic images of sediment-laden flow in order to obtain accurat e, quantitative, two dimensional vector maps of the flow field within the s ediment suspension. Experiments were carried out using a medical ultrasound scanner to obtain ultrasonic images in a kaolin/salt water suspension of m ean concentration 16 g/l and to compare results obtained with the ultrasoun d scanner in clear water with those from established measurement techniques . Measurements of mud were obtained, and the comparison with established me thods indicated that the application of PIV to the analysis of ultrasound i mages yields velocity information accurate to within +/-15%. This measureme nt technique will be of great value in furthering the understanding of the behavior of sediment-laden flows. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.