µPIV measurement of the 3D velocity distribution of Taylor droplets moving in a square horizontal channel

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a µPIV measurement of the 3D2C velocity distribution of Taylor droplets moving in a square horizontal microchannel at Ca$$_{\mathrm {c}} = 0.005$$c=0.005 and Re$$_{\mathrm {c}} = 0.051$$c=0.051. We reconstruct the third velocity component and present an accuracy assessment of the reconstruction based on a volume flow balance of the 3D3C velocity field. The velocity field allows the investigation of the 3D flow features such as stagnation regions and the shear rate distribution. The maximum shear rate is located at the entrances and exits of the wall films and at the corner flow (gutter) bypassing the Taylor droplet. The regions of high strain correspond to the cap positions of the Taylor droplets. An experimental data set allows visualization of the streamlines of the velocity distribution on the interface of a Taylor droplet and to directly relate it to the main and secondary vortices of the droplet phase velocity field. The measurement data are provided as a digital resource for the validation of numerical simulation or further assessment. Graphic abstract