Characterization of cavitation during the closing of mechanical (heart) valves

MRI in Multiphase flows

There is a global strive for sustainability, exemplified by the EU's objective to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The path to attaining these sustainability goals hinges on enhancing process efficiency while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and emissions across a diverse spectrum of applications. These applications span from flows in biological and chemical reactors to the transportation of slurries and food, as well as flows in electro-chemical systems. Process efficiency improvement necessitates innovations in these systems and their corresponding modeling. This is particularly challenging due to the typically opaque nature of the multiphase flows in these processes.

One solution to overcome this challenge is the application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to visualize these complex flows. For instance, MRI offers the unique capability to capture time-dependent, three-dimensional velocity fields of these opaque flows. The data acquired through MRI serves as a crucial input for the realization (of improved) models, ultimately leading to enhanced efficiency and the ability to predict outcomes in a wide variety of processes.

The project makes use of a unique dedicated 3T MRI facility specifically set-up for process technology and fluid mechanics studies.

Funding: internal

This is a joint project between the Multiphase Systems and Complex Fluid Processing groups.

Chair:
Multiphase Systems

Involved People:
Prof. dr. ir. C. Poelma
Prof. dr. ir J. Padding
Dr.ir. W.J. (Willian) Hogendoorn
Alberto Biagini