Functionalised alginate flow seeding microparticles for use in Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

Abstract

Alginate microparticles as flow seeding fulfil all the requirements that are recommended for the velocity measurements in Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). These spherical microparticles offer the advantage of being environmentally friendly, having excellent seeding properties and they can be produced via a very simple process. In the present study, the performances of alginate microparticles functionalised with a fluorescent dye, Rhodamine B (RhB), for PIV have been studied. The efficacy of fluorescence is appreciated in a number of PIV applications since it can boost the signal-to-noise ratio. Alginate microparticles functionalised with RhB have high emission efficiency, desirable match with fluid density and controlled size. The study of the particles behaviour in strong acid and basic solutions and ammonia is also included. This type of particles can be used for measurements with PIV and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) simultaneously, including acid–base reactions.

Keywords:

• Alginate
• encapsulation
• image analysis

Acknowledgements

We thank the microscopy unit of URV for providing the electron microscopy service.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Funding information

This study has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under projects CTQ2013–46799-C2–1-P and CTQ2011–22793.