Unisa online - Introduction to Particle Image Velocimetry

Representing the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, from left: Mr Themba Sithebe, Dr Wei Ho and Prof David Kruger

On 25 April 2012, the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering held a seminar entitled “Introduction to Particle Image Velocimetry” at Unisa’s Florida Campus.

In his presentation, Dr Wei Ho introduced the state-of-the-art fluid dynamics measurement technique known as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). This technique is a non-intrusive measurement technique which seeks to accurately measure velocity flow fields without introducing foreign objects into the flow field which may affect the flow itself, he said. This technique seeks to measure flow velocities through an imaging method rather than measuring by physical parameters.

Dr Wei Ho (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering) busy with his presentation

He told the audience that PIV works by first introducing seeding particles into the flow and capturing time-critical images of these particles as they follow the flow pathlines without interfering with them. By processing these images using cross-correlation algorithms, one can reconstruct the flow field with a great degree of accuracy and resolution.

Dr Ho concluded his talk by presenting selected results from an experiment in which he collaborated with the PIV laboratory at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. This collaboration was made possible through a Unisa International Fellowship Grant administered by Unisa’s International Relations and Partnerships Directorate.