Laser-based particle measurements of spherical and nonspherical particles

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.