Flow Visualization of Pulsatile Flow in a Branching Tube using the PIV System and Numerical Analysis

PIV와 수치해석을 이용한 분지관내 맥동유동의 가시화

The objective of the present study is to visualize the pulsatile flow fields by using three-dimensional computer simulation and the PIV system. A closed flow loop system was built for the steady and unsteady experiments. The Harvard pulsatile pump was used to generate the pulsatile pressure and velocity waveforms. Conifer powder as the tracing particles was added to water to visualize the flow field. Two consecutive particle images were captured by a CCD camera for the image processing. The cross-correlation method in combination with the moving searching area algorithm was applied for the image processing of the flow visualization. The pulsatile flow fields were visualized effectively by the PIV system in conjunction with the applied algorithm. The range validation and the area interpolation methods were used to obtain the final velocity vectors with high accuracy. The finite volume predictions were used to analyze three-dimensional flow patterns in the bifurcation model. The results of the PIV experiment and the computer simulation are in good agreement and the results show the recirculation zones and formation of the paired secondary flow distal to the apex of the bifurcated model. The results also show that the branch flow is pushed strongly to the inner wall due to the inertial force effect and helical motions are generated as the flow proceeds toward the outer wall.