Ultrasound imaging velocimetry (UIV) is a maturing technique for measuring the dispersed phase in two-phase flows. It enables measurements of dense suspensions when optical methods fail. This study explores UIV’s applicability to measure the flow field in a swirling flow reactor (SFR) for solid–liquid mixing of dense suspensions. Despite UIV’s historical focus on unidirectional flows like arteries and axisymmetric pipes, this research demonstrates its adaptation to an inherently complex 3D flow field, i.e., a swirling sudden expansion flow in an SFR. Using high-speed plane-wave imaging and correlation averaging techniques, satisfactory velocity profiles are achieved while preserving sufficient temporal information. Firstly, the applicability of UIV in this specific setup is demonstrated by comparing UIV with stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements of a single-phase flow in the SFR, both indicating a Coandă jet flow (CoJF). Secondly, several bulk velocities and volume concentrations (up to 50 vol%) are measured with UIV for a suspension of water and 2.3-mm glass beads. A transducer is installed in two orientations and captures all three velocity components when combining the two datasets. A timestep optimization process is implemented to avoid the need for manual finetuning of the acquisition frequency. A time-domain spectral analysis on the dispersed phase velocity fields in the SFR reveals dominant frequencies between 1.21 and 2.42 Hz, similar to those found in single-phase flow. The general flow structure of the dispersed phase in suspension is very similar to the latter; however, the addition of particles confines the central recirculation zone (CRZ) to the center. Finally, the implementation of swirl to keep solid–liquid mixtures in suspension in the SFR is experimentally confirmed by this study. Quantitative UIV measurements confirm favorable flow structures for mixing, specifically a CoJF that avoids sedimentation. The concentration of solids in an SFR can even be increased up to 50 vol% while still maintaining a uniform suspension.@en

The bubbly shock-driven partial cavitation in an axisymmetric venturi is studied with time-resolved two-dimensional X-ray densitometry. The bubbly shock waves are characterised using the vapour fraction and pressure changes across it, propagation velocity, and Mach number. The sharp changes in vapour fraction measured with X-ray densitometry, combined with high-frequency dynamic pressure measurements, reveal that the interaction of the pressure wave with the vapour cavity dictates the shedding dynamics. At the lowest cavitation number (σ∼0.47), the condensation shock front is the predominant shedding mechanism. However, as σ increases (σ∼0.78), we observe an upstream travelling pressure discontinuity that changes into a condensation shock as it approaches the venturi throat. This coincides with the increasing strength of the bubbly shock wave as it propagates upstream, manifested by the increasing velocity of the shock front and the pressure rise across it. Consequently, the Mach number of the shock front increases and surpasses the critical value 1, favouring condensation shocks. Further, at higher σ (∼0.84–0.9), both the re-entrant jet and pressure wave can cause cavity detachment. However, at such σ, the pressure wave likely remains subsonic. Hence cavity condensation is not favoured readily. This leads to the re-entrant jet causing the cavity detachment at higher σ. The shock front is accelerated as it propagates upstream through the variable cross-section of the venturi. This enhances its strength, favouring cavity condensation and eventual shedding. These observations explain the existence of shock fronts in an axisymmetric venturi for a large range of σ.@en

An experimental method is proposed to study dispersed two-phase flows at an airwater interface, a family of flows of practical significance in environmental and industrial seĴings. The applicability of this technique is demonstrated through the study of a lightly-deformed turbulent free-surface laden with floating particles (`floaters'). A low-mean turbulent flow is generated in a turbulence box actuated by a 10×10 synthetic jet array. Using LEDs and a single camera, free-surface flow measurements are carried out by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) simultaneously with Lagrangian tracking of the floaters, allowing the potential to characterise the coupling between the floater dynamics and the (sub)surface flow. Discrimination of the dispersed and continuous phases is carried out based on size. Individual floaters and clusters of floaters are successfully tracked throughout the field of view while they navigate through elongated and circular regions of high and low vorticity, characteristic features typically observed when a subsurface turbulent flow interacts with a free surface. Preliminary results of the floater-fluid interactions are presented to highlight the potential of this technique to beĴer our understanding of floaterladen turbulent free surfaces.@en

Different air phase regimes are formed by controlled air injection in a spatially developing flat plate turbulent boundary layer (TBL). The air is introduced via a slot type injector without the use of a backward-facing step or cavitator upstream of the air injection position. The effect of different incoming liquid flow characteristics on the different regimes is investigated by varying both the liquid freestream velocity and the incoming TBL thickness. The latter is realized through changing the position of the air injection along the length of the water tunnel facility. That resulted in a downstream distance based Reynolds number from 1 to 5 million. Three different air phase regimes are identified under different air flow rates and freestream velocities: the bubbly regime, the transitional, and the air layer regime. The morphological differences of each one are described and quantitative analysis is performed based on the non-wetted area in each condition. The incoming TBL as well as the flow around the air layer are measured with planar particle image velocimetry. The latter enabled the determination of the air layer thickness. In addition, the ratio of the air layer to the incoming boundary layer thickness t_air/δ is also calculated (≈ 0.04 – 0.5). This is a significant dimensionless parameter for scaling, which indicates the extent to which the air layer is embedded within the incoming TBL. Depending on the incoming flow conditions, a two or three branch air layer is formed. The length of the air layer is found to increase with increasing liquid freestream velocities. A good agreement between the air layer length and a half gravity wave predicted by the dispersion relation is found. An increase of the air layer length is observed with a decreasing incoming TBL thickness. This is attributed to a decrease in the local mean velocity at the air–water interface due to the TBL growth. Finally, increasing the incoming TBL thickness delays the onset of the air layer regime.

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We demonstrate that a cavitation bubble initiated by a Nd:YAG laser pulse below breakdown threshold induces crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions with supersaturation and laser-energy-dependent nucleation kinetics. Combining high-speed video microscopy and simulations, we argue that a competition between the dissipation of absorbed laser energy as latent and sensible heat dictates the solvent evaporation rate and creates a momentary supersaturation peak at the vapor-liquid interface. The number and morphology of crystals correlate to the characteristics of the simulated supersaturation peak.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments have been performed in conjunction with direct numerical simulations (DNS) to study neutrally buoyant particle-laden pipe flows. The flows are characterized by the suspension liquid Reynolds number (Res), based on the bulk liquid velocity and suspension viscosity obtained from Eilers' correlation, the bulk solid volume fraction (φb), and the particle-to-pipe diameter ratio (d/D). Six different cases have been studied, each with a unique combination of Res and φ, while d/D is kept constant at 0.058. The selected cases ensure that the comparison is performed across different flow regimes, each exhibiting characteristic behavior. In general, an excellent agreement is found between experiment and simulation for the average liquid velocity and solid volume fraction profiles. Root-mean-square errors as low as 1.7% and 5.3% are found for the velocity and volume fraction profiles, respectively. This study presents accurate and quantitative velocity and volume fraction profiles of semidilute up to dense suspension flows using both experimental and numerical methods. Three different flow regimes are identified, based on the experimental and numerical solid volume fraction profiles. These profiles explain observations in the drag change. For low bulk solid volume fractions a drag increase (with respect to an equal Res single-phase case) is observed. For moderate volume fraction distributions the drag is found to decrease, due to particle accumulation at the pipe center. For high volume fractions the drag is found to decrease further. For solid volume fractions of 0.4 a drag reduction higher than 25% is found. This drag reduction is linked to the strong viscosity gradient in the radial direction, where the relatively low viscosity near the pipe wall acts as a lubrication layer between the pipe wall and the dense core.

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Abstract: A novel experimental imaging-based method is presented for the non-intrusive determination of shock wave characteristics (i.e. shock wave speed and magnitude, and shock-induced liquid velocity) in a bubbly flow solely from gas bubble velocities. Shock wave speeds are estimated by the relative motion between gas bubbles at two locations by splitting the camera field-of-view using a mirror construction, increasing the dynamic spatial range of the measurement system. Although gas bubbles have in general poor tracing properties of the local fluid velocity, capturing the relative dynamics provides accurate estimates for the shock wave properties. This proposed imaging-based method does not require pressure transducers, the addition of tracer particles, or volumetric reconstruction of the gas bubbles. The shock wave magnitude and shock-induced liquid velocity are computed with a hydrodynamic model, which only requires non-intrusively measured variables as input. Two reference measurements, based on pressure transducers and the liquid velocity field by particle image velocimetry, show that the proposed method provides reliable estimates for the shock wave front speed and the shock-induced liquid velocity within the experimental range of 70 < U_s< 400 m/s. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

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We present an experimental study on the gas flow field development over a plunging breaking wave prior to impact on a vertical wall. The variability of wave impact pressure over repeated measurements is well known (Bagnold, 1939). The formation of instabilities on the wave crest are postulated to be the main source of impact pressure variability (Dias and Ghidaglia, 2018). However, the mechanism that results in wave impact pressure variability and the influence of the gas phase in particular are relatively unknown. The velocity field of the gas phase is measured with particle image velocimetry, while simultaneously the local free surface is determined with a stereo-planar laser-induced fluorescence technique. The bulk velocity between the wave crest tip and the impact wall deviates from the mass conservation estimate based on the velocity profile between the wave crest and the impact wall. This is caused by a significant increase of the local gas velocity near the wave crest tip. The non-uniformities in the seeding concentration accumulate near the wave crest tip and reduce the accuracy of the velocity measurements. However, the bulk velocity estimate is significantly improved with a fit of the velocity profile that is based on a potential flow over a bluff body. Additionally, the development of vortex is observed and quantified for two typical measurements with either a disturbance on the wave crest or a smooth wave crest. The circulation development is comparable to the formation and separation of a vortex ring, which results in a saturated vortex that separates from the wave crest (Gharib et al., 1998). Furthermore, the impact location of the wave tip is altered by the formation of secondary vortices. The secondary vortex enhances the lift locally and alters the trajectory of the wave crest tip, which may result in additional variability of the wave impact pressure.@en

Abstract: The so-called ‘re-entrant jet’ is fundamental to periodic cloud shedding in partial cavitation. However, the exact physical mechanism governing this phenomenon remains ambiguous. The complicated topology of the re-entrant flow renders whole-field, detailed measurement of the re-entrant flow cumbersome. Hence, most studies in the past have derived a physical understanding of this phenomenon from qualitative analyses of the re-entrant jet. Thus, quantitative studies are scarce in the literature. In this work, we present a methodology to experimentally measure the re-entrant flow below the vapour cavity in an axisymmetric venturi. The axisymmetry of the flow geometry is exploited to image tracer particles in the near-wall re-entrant flow. The main objective of employing tomographic imaging and subsequent velocimetry is to resolve the thickness and the velocity of the re-entrant flow. Additionally, phase-averaging conditioned on cavity length sheds light on the temporal evolution of re-entrant flow in a shedding cycle. The measured re-entrant film is as thick as ∼ 1.2 mm for a maximum cavity length of ∼ 0.9 D_t, where D_t is the venturi throat diameter. However, the re-entrant film thickness at higher cavitation number is measured to be about 0.5 mm. Further, the re-entrant flow is seen to attain a maximum velocity up to half the throat velocity as the vapour cavity grows in time and the re-entrant flow thickens. We observe that a complex spatio-temporal evolution of re-entrant flow is involved in the cavity detachment and periodic cloud shedding. Finally, we apply the demonstrated methodology to study the evolution of the near-wall liquid flow, below the vapour cavity in different cavity shedding flow regimes. The role of two main mechanisms responsible for cloud shedding, i.e. (i) the adverse-pressure gradient driven re-entrant jet, and (ii) the bubbly shock wave emanating from the cloud collapse are quantitatively assessed. We observe that the thickness of the re-entrant liquid film with respect to the cavity thickness can influence the cavity shedding behaviour. Further, we show that both the mechanisms could be operating at a given flow condition, with one of them dominating to dictate the cloud shedding behaviour. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

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Using magnetic resonance imaging we are able to obtain average velocity and volume fraction profiles in a pipe flow with a neutrally buoyant suspension. In this experimental work, the effect of increasing Reynolds number and particle volume fraction on shear-induced migration is studied. For increasing bulk volume fraction, the initially nearly homogeneous suspension gradually changes to a strongly non-homogeneous suspension. This is observed for all studied Reynolds numbers. In contrast to the majority of previous (MRI) studies, experiments are also performed for suspension Reynolds numbers of approximately 5000 in order to study inertial effects on shear-induced migration.

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The circular Taylor-Couette flow is one of the archetypical model systems for the study of flow transitions and dynamic pattern formation in experimental fluid dynamics. The emergence of the internal vortical flow structures are commonly visualized through a rheoscopic flow visualization, while their spatio-temporal dynamics can be extracted by the construction of a space-time diagram using a single camera. Although the latter is an effective method to map the various flow regimes for different inner and outer cylinder rotations, it suffers from limitations in the frame rate while the full extent of the azimuthal vortex structure along the circumference, together with its dynamic evolution through space and time, remains unclear. In this work, we perform the full 360-degree field of view panorama imaging for the rheoscopic flow visualization of the azimuthal vortex structure that wraps around the circumference. We use a set of 12 GoPro cameras that are commercially available and can be triggered remotely. We calibrate and position our cameras using methods from computer vision while we synchronize their audio channels at an inter-frame precision much greater than the frame rate. We unwrap the physical coordinates along the circumference of the outer cylinder through texture mapping its surface using a spatially weighted image interpolation and present a single representation of the azimuthal vortex structure from the rheoscopic flow visualization. We validate our methods within a submillimeter precision and showcase the application to study the steady-state and transient dynamics of a single- phase wavy vortex flow. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations as we add neutrally buoyant PMMA particles at increasing volume fractions up to 30 %. Our methods allow us to fully decouple space and time, and study the dynamic pattern formation at bullet time accuracy. @en

Path instabilities of a sphere rising or falling in a quiescent Newtonian fluid have been studied experimentally. The rich palette of possible instabilities is dependent upon two dimensionless quantities, namely the Galileo number (Ga) and the particle/fluid mass density ratio (ρ¯). In recent literature, several (Ga,ρ¯) regime maps have been proposed to characterize path instabilities, based on both numerical and experimental studies, with substantial disagreements among them. The present study attempts to shed light on path instabilities for which previous studies disagree. A detailed experimental investigation has been conducted for 219 different combinations of Ga and ρ¯, grouped around four values of ρ¯ (∼ 0.87, 1.12, 3.19 and 3.9) and Ga in the range of ∼ 100 to 700. Our results agree well with literature for the low Ga range in which a particle takes a steady vertical or steady oblique path and for which all previous studies agree with each other. For the higher and more controversial Ga range, we discuss consensus and disagreements with previous studies. Some regimes, which were only recently observed in numerical simulations, have been observed experimentally for the first time. Also, intriguing bi-stable regimes (i.e., coexistence of two stable asymptotic states) have been observed. For all four investigated density ratios, an update of the regime map is proposed. Finally, for both the rising and falling spheres, the drag coefficient as function of terminal settling Reynolds number has been determined, which for the investigated density ratios does not differ significantly from that of flow past a fixed sphere.

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An air layer within a liquid turbulent boundary layer (TBL) is formed by controlled air injection underneath a flat plate. The incoming boundary layer as well as the flow around the air layer were measured with planar particle image velocimetry (PIV). The effect of different incoming liquid flow characteristics on the air layer geometry is investigated by varying both the freestream velocity and the streamwise development length of the TBL. The latter was realized through changing the position of the air injection along the length of the water tunnel facility. Increasing the freestream velocity resulted in an increase of the air layer length, while its maximum thickness remained relatively unaltered. An increase in the TBL development length, had a similarly marginal effect on the resulting maximum air layer thickness but led to a shorter air layer length. The latter could be attributed to a decrease in local mean velocity due to the TBL growth, reflected in a decrease of the air layer to boundary layer thickness ratio (from 0.27 to 0.17). The results of this study are expected to provide insight on the design conditions of an air layer drag reduction system installed in the hull of a ship.

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Abstract: Ultrasound imaging velocimetry (UIV) refers to the technique wherein ultrasound images are analysed with 2D cross-correlation techniques developed originally in the framework of particle image velocimetry. Applying UIV to opaque, particle-laden multiphase flows have long been considered to be an attractive prospect. In this study, we demonstrate how fundamental differences in acoustical imaging, as compared to optical imaging, manifest themselves in the 2D cross-correlation analysis. A chief point of departure from conventional particle image velocimetry is the strong variation in the intensity profile of the acoustic wavefield, primarily caused by the attenuation of ultrasonic waves in particle-laden flows. Attenuation necessitates using a larger ensemble of correlation planes to obtain satisfactory time-averaged velocity profiles. For a given combination of imaging and flow conditions, attenuation sets upper limits on volume fraction, penetration depth, as well as temporal resolutions that may be accessed confidently. This behaviour is demonstrated in two experimental datasets and is also supported by a modified cross-correlation theory. The modification is brought about by incorporating a lumped model of ultrasonic backscattering in suspensions into existing spatial cross-correlation analysis. The two experimental datasets correspond to two distinct particle-laden pipe flows: (1) a neutrally buoyant non-Brownian suspension in a laboratory-scale flow facility, wherein particle sizes are comparable to the ultrasonic wavelength and (2) a non-Newtonian slurry in an industrial-scale flow facility, wherein particle sizes are much smaller than the ultrasonic wavelength. We illustrate how and to what extent correlation averaging can counteract the adversity caused by attenuation. The work herein offers a template for one to evaluate the performance of UIV in particle-laden flows. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

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We propose a scaling law for the onset of turbulence in pipe flow of neutrally buoyant suspensions. This scaling law, based on a large set of experimental data, relates the amplitude of the particle-induced perturbations ε to the critical suspension Reynolds number Res,c. Here ε is a function of the particle-to-pipe diameter ratio and the volume fraction of the suspended particles, ε=(d/D)1/2ϕ1/6. Res,c is found to scale as ε−1. Furthermore, the perturbation amplitude allows a distinction between classical, intermediate, and particle-induced transitions.@en

We revisit the laminar–turbulent transition of a fine-grained slurry in a large pipe. The combination of long measurement times in an industrial-scale facility and ultrasound imaging allows us to observe and address anomalous trends. Under turbulent conditions, the flow is homogeneous and steady. However, under laminar conditions, two types of long-time-scale transient behaviours are captured. In the first scenario, the system has been homogenized, following which the flow rate is reduced to laminar conditions. The flow rate continues to gradually drop, while particles settle and form a stationary bed. In the second scenario, the system has been shut down for a prolonged period and the flow rate is slowly increased. The flow rate continues to rise while particles are slowly resuspended from the gradually eroding bed. Near the laminar–turbulent transition point, two types of intermittent structures are responsible for resuspension. The equilibrium phase, with steady flow rate, coincides with complete resuspension. These two long-time-scale transients correspond to the phenomena of ‘slow settling’ and ‘self-equilibration’, respectively. While the former can lead to shutdowns, the latter generates a stable system. Being aware of these phenomena is of relevance while operating slurry pipelines near the favourable operating point of the laminar–turbulent transition.@en

In the medical sector, various imaging methodologies or modalities (e.g. MRI, PET, CT) are used to assess the health of various parts of the bodies of patients. One such investigation is the blood flow or perfusion of the heart muscle, expressed as the (blood) flow rate normalized by the mass of the volume of interest. Currently there is no physical flow standard for the validation of quantitative perfusion measurements. This need has been addressed in the EMPIR 15HLT05 PerfusImaging project. A phantom simulating the heart muscle has been developed with the capability that it can reproducibly generate a flow profile with individual flow rates known with a relative uncertainty of about 10% (k = 2) and total flow rate known with an uncertainty of 1% (k = 2). An overview of the phantom and its validation is given. Next, a new analysis method is presented to analyse the sequence of images which are acquired when using a standard dynamic imaging protocol. It is concluded that the new, alternative approach gives results comparable to the standard analysis method.

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Particle-laden pipe flows exhibit a gradual laminar-turbulent transition, beyond a critical volume fraction (φ). While classical transition behavior is characterized by the presence of turbulent puffs, this intermittent nature is absent for particle-induced transition. For small pipe-to-particle diameter ratios (D/d) even dilute systems exhibit this particle-induced transition behavior. In this study we use neutrally buoyant particles with a D/d of 5.7, which represents a "sweet spot,"allowing the use of particle image velocimetry to study this particular phenomenon. The average velocity profile gradually changes from a parabola (laminar flow) to a blunted velocity profile for increasing Reynolds number. The instantaneous velocity profiles fluctuate around this profile. These velocity fluctuations, described by ux-rms and ur-rms, gradually increase for increasing Reynolds number, as do the Reynolds stresses. For low Res, the velocity fluctuations increase proportional to the bulk velocity, which can be explained by a simple model based on the finite size of the particles. The velocity fields show the presence of elongated streamwise structures. The largest length scales are found in the transition region, where average integral length scales up to 5D are found. The structures decrease in length when the flow has fully transitioned to a turbulent state.

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The objective of this study is to investigate the collapsing behavior of cavitation, which leads to the erosion of material. An experimental examination was conducted in a channel with a semi-circular cylinder obstacle, which serves as a “vortex cavity” generator. Cavitation was achieved by employing a range of pressure differences over the test section and a high-speed camera was used to observe the cavitation behavior. The flow field behind the semi-circular cylinder was investigated as a characteristic example of bluff bodies that exhibit a distinct, separated vortex flow in their wake. The cases with the bluff body were also compared to the ones without the bluff body. Erosion tests were performed using paint (stencil ink). The intensity of cavitation is characterized by the cavitation number (σ); the lower the cavitation number, the higher the cavitation intensity. The erosion (removal of paint) after 40 min of operation revealed distinct and repeatable results. For a high cavitation number, a large number of von Karman-vortex-like cavities are shed downstream of the obstacle. This results in a higher number of collapse events and, ultimately, more erosion. On the other hand, at lower cavitation numbers, the erosion took place at the cavity's closure line. It was seen that with the increase in cavitation intensity, the erosion area increases. Moreover, the bluff body obstacle promotes and localizes cavitation-induced erosion on the sample plate compared to the cases without the bluff body. This ultimately means that in the cases with the bluff body, less power is required in the system to cause erosion. The erosion patterns caused by the bluff body cavitation are more repeatable compared to the cases without the bluff body due to the localized cavitation load. The erosion pattern from the paint test is also compared with a material loss test (30 h of operation). A very good qualitative agreement is found between the two tests, with the paint test requiring approximately two orders of magnitude less running time of the facility. We demonstrate that paint tests, combined with this geometry, provide an efficient and economical way to investigate erosion patterns compared to expensive material loss tests.

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Abstract: We discuss empirical techniques to extract quantitative particle volume fraction profiles in particle-laden flows using an ultrasound transducer. A key step involves probing several uniform suspensions with varying bulk volume fractions from which two key volume fraction dependent calibration parameters are identified: the peak backscatter amplitude (acoustic energy backscattered by the initial layer of the suspension) and the amplitude attenuation rate (rate at which the acoustic energy decays with depth owing to scattering losses). These properties can then be used to reconstruct spatially varying particle volume fraction profiles. Such an empirical approach allows circumventing detailed theoretical models which characterize the interaction between ultrasound and suspensions, which are not universally applicable. We assess the reconstruction techniques via synthetic volume fraction profiles and a known particle-laden suspension immobilized in a gel. While qualitative trends can be easily picked up, the following factors compromise the quantitative accuracy: (1) initial reconstruction errors made in the near-wall regions can propagate and grow along the reconstruction direction, (2) multiple scattering can create artefacts which may affect the reconstruction, and (3) the accuracy of the reconstruction is very sensitive to the goodness of the calibration. Despite these issues, application of the technique to particle-laden pipe flows shows the presence of a core with reduced particle volume fractions in laminar flows, whose prominence reduces as the flow becomes turbulent. This observation is associated with inertia-induced radial migration of particles away from the pipe axis and is observed in flows with bulk volume fractions as high as 0.08. Even transitional flows with low levels of intermittency are not devoid of this depleted core. In conclusion, ultrasonic particle volume fraction profiling can play a key complementary role to ultrasound-based velocimetry in studying the internal features of particle-laden flows. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

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