| A non-intrusive flow visualization technique, using particle image velocimetry (PIV) was developed to concurrently measure instantaneous velocity data for entire planes of flow within a water model. The apparatus constructed proved capable of measuring flow planes in variable orientations. This technique has proven suitable for measurements in shallow bath flows such as the bottom gas stirred Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Three models were constructed for technique development and analysis, including one simplified bottom stirred EAF case. The data measured has been used to map both time average flow patterns and velocity distributions for different experimental conditions. Vorticity and mean square velocity fluctuations were calculated and plotted to determine the distribution of turbulent flow activity. The existing flow similarity theory was determined insufficient for the scaling of bottom stirred EAF parameters. The model and prototype systems operate within the same regimes allowing for qualitative comparisons of results. |
