Experimental measurements in fluid mechanics

OptiFluides also provides experimental Fluid Mechanics measurements, either on a physical model or directly on the installation, system or product to be characterized, whenever possible.

Optifluides - Experimental measurements
Mesures expérimentales et bancs d'essais

Measurement, a complementary discipline to numerical simulation

Numerical simulation generally requires a good knowledge of the physical quantities of the system under study:

  • On a reduced scale model, to accurately adjust the numerical model and validate the simulation.
  • Of a similar system, to determine the influence of geometric or functional changes…
  • At the limits of the system, to provide keys for validating results or accurately parameterizing the boundaries of the model.

Numerical modeling of a system alone is sometimes not enough to obtain quantitatively satisfactory results, which is why OptiFluides offers a wide range of tests and experimental validations on scale models or on test benches, enabling numerical models to be precisely adjusted.

Experimental measurements and test bench design

OptiFluides performs on-site or laboratory measurements using experimental methods, notably based on imaging. This approach enables us to enhance or validate results obtained from numerical models, and to design test benches.

Our approach consists of transposing techniques now mastered in university research into an industrial setting, while mastering the constraints this implies (implementation, cost, lead time, safety, etc.).

Our expertise in experimental measurement

OptiFluides carries out various types of measurements on site or on models, such as :

  • Non-intrusive velocity measurements (Particle Image Velocimetry – PIV)
  • Installation of differential or absolute pressure sensors
  • Flow meters,
  • Velocity measurements using hot wire, Pitot tube, micro-spool, etc.
  • Acoustic measurements with microphone / hydrophone
  • Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) :
    • Non-intrusive measurements of species concentration, temperature or density fields
  • Umbroscopy and Mie’s diffraction :
    • visualization of two-phase flows, measurement of quantities specific to these flows (vacuum ratio, diameter, concentration and velocity of bubbles/droplets)
We benefit from a partnership with INSA Lyon’s Laboratoire de Mécanique de Fluides et d’Acoustique (LMFA), enabling us to use the laboratory’s experimental resources (instrumentation, wind tunnels, hydraulic test cells).

Test bench design

The use of test benches may be necessary to test your products and their durability in accordance with current standards, or to measure physical quantities on a system representative of your product in use.

In both cases, OptiFluides can assist you in the design of the test bench, enabling you to make the best possible choices to meet the design specifications. We can also act as project manager, subcontracting specific skills in dimensioning, design and mechatronics, and carrying out the instrumentation and fluid mechanics work packages.

Experimental measurements in Fluid Dynamics