Development of Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking Velocimetry for the Investigation of Unsteady Flows

Instantaneous characterization of the three components of velocity of a fluid flow in a three-dimensional volume is difficult to accomplish under a variety of conditions. Symmetrical flows exhibit a measure of symmetry, which allow the use of a planar method. A method such as stereo particle imaging velocimetry could be used, which obtains three components of velocity in a planar sheet of the fluid. Flow asymmetries however, force the use of a fully three-dimensional approach to achieve a good understanding of the phenomenon. Particle tracking velocimetry is a method that allows three-dimensional information to be gathered instantaneously by determining the trajectories of individual particles. Limits exist, however, on this type of approach. This work examines the limits of a particle tracking velocimetry system that uses only two cameras to interrogate the flow.