The accuracy of the Particle Image Velocimetry technique was investigated using synthetic images having known characteristics. Algorithms were developed to process images automatically without operator assistance. This allowed to parametrically investigate the influence of the various parameters (image contrast, image noise, particle density, distribution of sizes of particles and particle displacement between frames) on the accuracy of the technique. It was found that as long as the images have a good contrast, particle locations can be determined with sub-pixel accuracy and particle velocities can be determined within a few percent.

1.
Dimotakis
,
P. E.
,
Debussy
,
F. D.
 and
Koochesfahani
,
M. M.
, (
1981
), “
Particle Stieak Velocity Field Measurements in a Three-Dimensional Mixing Layer
”,
Physics of Fluids
, Vol.
24
, p.
995
.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.863481
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
Kobaybashi
,
T.
,
Ishihara
,
T.
 and
Sasaki
,
N.
, (
1983
), “
Automatic Analysis of Photographs of Trace Particles by Microcomputer System
”,
Third International Conference on Flow Visualization
,
Ann Arbor, USA
, pp
261
–
265
.
Google Scholar
 
3.
Kobaybashi
,
T.
 and
Yoshitake
,
Y.
, (
1985
), “
An Automated Analysis Method for Determining Velocity Vectors from Pathline Photograph
”,
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fluid Control Measurement
,
Tokyo, Japan
,
Pergamon Press
, pp.
729
–
734
.
Google Scholar
 
4.
Nishino
,
K.
Kasagi
,
N.
 and
Hirata
,
M.
, (
1985
), “
Flow Visualization and Its Digital Image Processing in a Fully Developed Two Dimensional Turbulent Channel Flow
”,
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fluid Control Measurement
,
Tokyo, Japan
,
Pergamon Press
.
Google Scholar
 
5.
Adrian
,
R. J.
, (
1984
), “
Scattering Particle Characteristics and Their Effect on Pulsed Laser Measurements of Fluid Flow: Speckle Velocimetry vs. Particle Image Velocimetry
”,
Applied Optics
, Vol
23
, No
11
, pp.
1690
–
1691
.
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.23.001690
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
6.
Lourenco
,
L. M.
 and
Whiffen
,
M. C.
, (
1984
), “
Laser Speckle Methods in Huid Dynamics Applications
”,
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Applications of Laser Anemometry to Fluid Mechanics
,
Lisbon, Portugal
.
Google Scholar
 
7.
Chang
,
T. P. K.
,
Watson
,
A. T.
 and
Tatterson
,
G.B.
, (
1985
), “
Image Processing of Tracer Particle Motions as Applied to Mixing and Turbulent Flow - I. The Technique
”,
Chemical Engineering Science
, Vol.
40
, No.
2
, pp.
269
–
275
.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2509(85)80066-X
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
8.
Landreth
,
C. C.
,
Adrian
,
R. J.
 and
Yao
C. S.
, (
1987
), “
Double Pulsed Particle Image Velocimeter with Directional Resolution for Complex Flows
”,
Experiments in Fluids
., Vol.
5
, p.
105
.
Google Scholar
 
9.
Majumdar
,
P. S.
,
Fales
,
J. C.
,
Algazi
,
R. V.
 and
Stewart
,
J. E.
, (
1987
), “
Teaching Computers to Track Particles. II. Auto Tracking Algorithm and Coordinate Transformation
”,
Journal of Imaging Science
, Vol
31
, No
5
, pp.
208
–
219
.
Google Scholar
 
10.
Kiritsis
,
N.
, (
1989
), “
Statistical Investigation of Errors in Particle Image Velocimetry
”, M.S. Thesis,
The Ohio State University
.
Google Scholar
 
11.
Horn
,
B. K. P.
, (
1986
),
Robot Vision
,
MIT Press
.
Google Scholar
 
12.
Economikos
,
L.
, (
1988
), “
Image Processing and Analysis of Colored Particle Motion in Turbulent Flow
”, PhD. Thesis,
The Ohio State University
.
Google Scholar
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1989 Laser Institute of America.
1989
Laser Institute of America
You do not currently have access to this content.