Estimating the Parameters of Suspended Particles Using Acoustic Radiation

The flow of a gas or liquid can be visualized by recording and analyzing successive images of the particle distribution on the surface of the object determining the parameters of motion. However, this approach allows visualizing the distribution of solid particles without evaluating particle mass and density. The paper outlines results on determining the mass and density of suspended particles through exposing the particle flow to acoustic radiation. We used the method of visual image processing in flow of particles entrained by an acoustic field having known frequency and amplitude during at least two periods of acoustic oscillations. We also took into account the relaxation of particles in the measuring plane confined using a light sheet. The basic mathematical expressions are derived from estimating the mass, density, velocity field, and shape of particles using digital image processing and temperature measurement in the flow region. A schematic diagram is constructed and the design of a device to implement the diagnostic method is outlined. The approach proposed can be applied to determine parameters of suspended particles in medicine, biology, ecology, powder metallurgy, and other areas of science and technology.