Experiments were performed to collect a detailed set of particle informatio
n in a co-axial jet and a swirling flow to assess the influence of particle
shape on the particle dynamics. Spherical glass beads and a ground glass p
owder of the same material and similar size distribution were used for the
experiments. The experiments presented also provide a comprehensive data se
t of particle information in a well-defined laboratory environment suitable
for model validation. Results presented were measured with a two-component
phase-Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA) and contain detailed particle veloc
ity information for both spherical and nonspherical particles. Significant
differences between spherical and nonspherical particles were observed for
both co-axial jet and swirling flows in regions where velocity gradients ar
e high. In general, nonspherical particles in the 30-70 mum range were able
to follow the gas-phase velocity much better than the spherical particles
in the same size range. Size-resolved velocity information was also collect
ed directly below the inlet to measure the different velocity characteristi
cs of different size classes within the overall distribution. (C) 2001 Else
vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.