Quantification of cavitating flows with neutron imaging

Karathanassis IK, Heidari-Koochi M, Koukouvinis F, Weiß L, Trtik P, Spivey D, Wensing M, Gavaises M (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 14

Article Number: 26911

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-76588-3

Abstract

The current experimental investigation demonstrates the capability of neutron imaging to quantify cavitation, in terms of vapour content, within an orifice of an abruptly constricting geometry. The morphology of different cavitation regimes setting in was properly visualised owing to the high spatial resolution of 16 μm achieved, given the extensive field of view of 12.9 × 12.9 mm2 offered by the imaging set-up. At a second step, the method was proven capable of highlighting subtle differences between fluids of different rheological properties. More specifically, a reference liquid was comparatively assessed against a counterpart additised with a Quaternary Ammonium Salt (QAS) agent, thus obtaining a viscoelastic behaviour. In accordance with previous studies, it was verified, yet in a quantifiable manner, that the presence of viscoelastic additives affects the overall cavitation topology by promoting the formation of more localised vortical cavities rather than cloud-like structures occupying a larger portion of the orifice core. To the authors’ best knowledge, the present work is the first to demonstrate that neutron imaging is suitable for quantifying in-nozzle cavitating flow at the micrometre level, consequently elucidating the distinct forms of vaporous structures that arise. The potential of incorporating neutron irradiation for the quantification of two-phase flows in metallic microfluidics devices has been established.

Authors with CRIS profile

Lukas Weiß Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik (LTT) Michael Wensing Professur für Fluidsystemtechnik

Involved external institutions

City, University of London GB United Kingdom (GB) Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) CH Switzerland (CH) Lubrizol Limited GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Karathanassis, I.K., Heidari-Koochi, M., Koukouvinis, F., Weiß, L., Trtik, P., Spivey, D.,... Gavaises, M. (2024). Quantification of cavitating flows with neutron imaging. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76588-3

MLA:

Karathanassis, I. K., et al. "Quantification of cavitating flows with neutron imaging." Scientific Reports 14.1 (2024).

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