Measurement of energy in laboratory vessels

A summary of the literature concerning energy and energy measurement as it relates to oil spill processes, was presented. Flow patterns, turbulence and relative energy levels in two laboratory vessels were characterized based on preliminary measurements. The first measurement technique selected was the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). This method involves placing seed particles into a fluid and then illuminating the fluid with a laser. The movement of a particle in a given cell is then measured as a function of time. It is possible to calculate turbulence and energy from at least two successive frames. At each point of the image frame, one can calculate turbulent energy. The second measurement technique selected was hot wire anemometry. Although the data obtained with this method was similar to that obtained with PIV, anemometry requires the intrusion of a probe into the area. It is not possible to use this method to measure the surface flow only. Initial measurements were obtained under different operating conditions in two laboratory vessels. The energy levels measured were significant on laboratory vessel surfaces, and sub-surface turbulence was found to be low. 48 refs., 3 tabs., 10 figs