Image-Based System for Particle Counting and Sizing
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 126, Issue 3
Abstract
A procedure is developed to provide measurements of particle size by adapting parts of a commercially available particle image velocimetry system to obtain in situ digital images of the particles. The procedure is nonintrusive and is able to capture images of the particles as they are mixed, thus avoiding the need for disturbing the flow or withdrawing samples for later analysis. Measured size distributions are shown to compare closely with manufacturer's values for standard polystyrene spherical particles, and particles with diameters as small as 6 μm are resolved. The system also is shown to track changes in particle-size distribution during an aggregation test. In addition, information on particle geometry is obtained, which should be useful for improving the ability to model aggregation processes. A simple modeling framework based on the Smoluchowski equation is presented to demonstrate the use of data obtained with this procedure in particle aggregation modeling.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Adrian, R. J. (1986). “Multi-point optical measurements of simultaneous vectors in unsteady flow: A review.” Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow, 7(2), 127–145.
2.
Casson, L. W., and Lawler, D. F. (1990). “Flocculation in turbulent flow: Measurement and modeling of particle size distribution.” J. AWWA, 82, 54–68.
3.
Chen, R. C., and Fan, L. S. (1992). “Particle image velocimetry for characterizing the flow structure in three-dimensional gas-liquid fluidized beds.” Chemical Engrg. Sci., 47(13/14), 3615–3622.
4.
Cheng, C.-Y. ( 1998). “Application and development of particle image technology to study turbulence and particle aggregation,” PhD dissertation, Dept. of Civ., Struct., and Envir. Engrg., University at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y.
5.
Cheng, C.-Y., Atkinson, J. F., and Bursik, M. I. (1997). “Direct measurement of turbulence structure in a mixing jar using PIV.”J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 123(2), 115–125.
6.
Clark, M. M. (1985). “Critique of Camp and Stein's RMS velocity gradient.”J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 111(6), 741–754.
7.
Clark, M. M., and Flora, J. R. (1991). “Floc restructuring in varied turbulent mixing.” J. Colloid Interface Sci., 147(2), 407–421.
8.
Cleasby, J. L. (1984). “Is velocity gradient a valid turbulent flocculation parameter?”J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 110(5), 875–897.
9.
Eisma, D., et al. (1990). “A camera and image-analysis system for in situ observation of flocs in natural waters.” Netherlands J. Sea Res., 27(1), 43–56.
10.
Filella, M., and Buffle, J. (1993). “Factors controlling the stability of submicron colloids in natural waters.” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical Engrg. Aspects, 73, 255–273.
11.
Friedlander, S. K. (1977). Smoke, dust and haze. Wiley, New York.
12.
Hanson, A. T., and Cleasby, J. L. (1990). “The effects of temperature on turbulent flocculation: Fluid dynamics and chemistry.” J. AWWA, 82(11), 56–73.
13.
Lai, W. T. ( 1996). “Particle image velocimetry: A new approach in experimental fluid research.” Three-dimensional velocity and vorticity measuring and image analysis techniques, Th. Dracos, ed., Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
14.
Lick, W., Lick, J., and Ziegler, C. K. (1992). “Flocculation and its effect on the vertical transport of fine-grained sediment.” Hydrobiologia, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 235/236, 1–16.
15.
Oberdier, L. M. ( 1984). “An instrumentation system to automate the analysis of fuel-spray images using computer vision.” Liquid particle size measurement techniques, ASTM STP 848, J. M. Tishkoff, R. D. Ingebo, and J. B. Kennedy, eds., ASTM, West Conshohocken, Pa., 123–126.
16.
Smoluchowski, M. (1917). “Versuch einer mathematischen theorie der koagulations-kinetic kolloid losungen.” Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie, 92, 129–168 (in German).
17.
Valioulis, I. A., and List, E. J. (1984). “Numerical simulation of a sedimentation basin 1. Model development.” Envir. Sci. and Technol., 18(4), 242–247.
18.
Weilenmann, U., O'Melia, C. R., and Stumm, W. (1989). “Particle transport in lakes: Models and measurement.” Limno. Oceanography, 34(1), 1–18.
19.
Williams, R. A., Peng, S. J., and Naylor, A. (1992). “In situ measurement of particle aggregation and breakage kinetics in a concentrated suspension.” Powder Technol., 73, 75–83.
20.
Zhang, Y., and Talley, D. G. ( 1990). “An image-processing technique for determining focus and statistical information about non-spherical particles in sprays.” Liquid particle size measurement techniques, Vol. 2, ASTM STP 1083, E. Dan Hirleman, W. D. Bachalo, and Philip G. Felton, eds., ASTM, West Conshohocken, Pa., 128–141.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
History
Received: Mar 16, 1998
Published online: Mar 1, 2000
Published in print: Mar 2000
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.