Developing Tracer Particles for X-Ray Particle Tracking Velocimetry

X-ray imaging, as a noninvasive flow visualization technique, has been shown to be a useful method for observing and characterizing multiphase flows. One type of X-ray flow visualization technique, called X-ray Particle Tracking Velocimetry (XPTV), tracks an X-ray attenuating particle in an opaque fluid flow. A significant challenge with XPTV is identifying tracer particles with the desired fluid flow characteristics (e.g., small and neutrally buoyant) but yet differentially attenuate X-rays, which is based primarily on density differences. This paper describes the manufacturing of XPTV tracer particles that satisfy specific particle characteristics including high X-ray attenuation, uniform shape, specified effective density, and desired diameter. An example use of these particles as an intruder particle in a fluidized bed (to simulate biomass injection) is then demonstrated using X-ray stereographic imaging to determine intruder particle position as a function of time in a three-dimensional opaque system.