Application of IR imaging for free-surface velocity measurement in liquid-metal systems

Abstract

Measuring free-surface, liquid-metal flow velocity is challenging to do in a reliable and accurate manner. This paper presents anon-invasive, easily-calibrated method of measuring the surface velocities of open-channel liquid-metal flows using an IR camera.Unlike other spatially-limited methods, this IR camera particle tracking technique provides full field-of-view data that can be used to better understand open-channel flows and determine surface boundary conditions.This method could be implemented and automated fora wide range of liquid-metal experiments, even if they operate at high-temperatures or within strong magnetic fields.