Particle position prediction based on Lagrangian coherency for flow over a cylinder in 4D-PTV

Abstract

Recent developments in time-resolved Particle Tracking Velocimetry (4D-PTV) consistently improved tracking accuracy and robustness. We propose a novel technique named ”Lagrangian coherent predictor” to estimate particle positions within the 4D-PTV algorithm. We add spatial and temporal coherency information of neighbour particles to predict a single trajectory using Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS). We found that even a weak signal from coherent neighbour motions improves particle prediction accuracy in complex flow regions. We applied Finite Time Lyapunov Exponent (FTLE) to quantify local boundaries (i.e. ridges) of coherent motions. Synthetic analysis of the wake behind a smooth cylinder at Reynolds number equal to 3900 showed enhanced estimation compared with the recent predictor functions employed in 4D-PTV. Results of the experimental study of the same flow configuration are reported. We compared predicted positions with the optimised final positions of Shake The Box (STB). It was found that the Lagrangian coherent predictor succeeded in estimating particle positions with minimum deviation to the optimised positions.