The characterization of particle clouds using optical imaging techniques

Optical imaging techniques can be used to provide a better understanding of the physical properties of particle clouds. The purpose of this thesis is to design, perform and evaluate a set of experiments using optical imaging techniques to characterize parameters such as shape factor and entrainment coefficient which govern the initial descent phase of particle clouds in water. Several different aspects of optical imaging are considered and evaluated such as the illumination, camera, and data acquisition components. A description of the experimental layout and procedure are presented along with a description of the image processing techniques used to analyze the data collected. Results are presented from a set of experiments conducted with particle sizes ranging from 250 to 980um. A shape factor is used to demonstrate how the cloud's shape changes from approximately spherical to approximately hemispherical over depth. The entrainment coefficient is shown to vary both as a function of depth and particle size diameter. The experimental cloud velocity is compared to the output of a simplified version of the model, STFATE, used to simulate the short term fate of dredged materials in water. This analysis provides a method of evaluating the experimental results and examining the feasibility of using the experimental data to refine the input parameters to the model.

Department dc:contributor.department

Joint Program in Marine Environmental Systems

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

1998

Author dc:creator

• Bruce, Elizabeth J. (Elizabeth Jane), 1972-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• E. Eric Adams.

• Joint Program in Marine Environmental Systems.
• Ocean Engineering.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/58860

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/58860