Flow field visualization of sediment-laden flow using ultrasonic imaging

This investigation concerns the application of particle image velocimetry (PIV) to ultrasonic images of sediment-laden flow in order to obtain accurate, quantitative, two dimensional vector maps of the flow field within the sediment suspension. Experiments were carried out using a medical ultrasound scanner to obtain ultrasonic images in a kaolin/salt water suspension of mean concentration 16 g/l and to compare results obtained with the ultrasound scanner in clear water with those from established measurement techniques. Measurements of mud were obtained, and the comparison with established methods indicated that the application of PIV to the analysis of ultrasound images yields velocity information accurate to within ±15%. This measurement technique will be of great value in furthering the understanding of the behavior of sediment-laden flows.