PHASE DOPPLER PARTICLE ANALYZER(PDPA)

Phase Doppler Particle Analyzers can

measure, simultaneously, the size, velocity and concentration of spherical
particles (typically liquid sprays, but also some bubbles and solid spheres).
Simultaneous measurement of both size and velocity allows correlations to
be made between these two quantities. The characteristics of moving
particles are obtained by utilizing laser Doppler effect. It was developed on
the basis of Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) systems.
These analyzers are point sampling
devices and flux-sensitive instruments. Points sampling refers to an
instrument that focuses on a portion of the total spray pattern and requires
targeting several test points within the spray in order to obtain a composite
sample of the spray flux distribution.

Typical PDPA system

The PDPA is a highly specialized technology

used to measure any liquid spray with transparent/semitransparent droplets.
The equipment combines a laser-based optical transmitter, an optical
receiver, an electronic signal processor and software for capturing and
analyzing data. The laser beams of the analyzer intersect at the sample
volume location. Liquid is discharged through pump. As it passes through a
nozzle or sprinkler, it produces a distinctive spray pattern. When a drop
passes through the intersection region of the PDPA's laser beams, the
scattered light forms an interference fringe pattern. Since the drop is
moving, the scattered interference pattern sweeps past the receiver aperture
at the Doppler difference frequency, which is proportional to the drop

velocity. The spatial frequency of the fringe pattern is inversely proportional

to the drop diameter.

PDPA system

High-pass filtered Doppler burst signals

illustrating the phase shift between
detectors.

The Phase Doppler method requires no

calibration because the measured particle size and velocity are dependent
only on the laser wavelength and optical configuration. PDPA measurements
are not based on light intensity, and consequently are not subject to errors
from beam attenuation or deflection which occur in dense particle and
combustion environments.

Scattered light interference pattern.

SOME KEY POINTS RELATED TO PDPA

PDPA is a no-intrusive technique for simultaneous fluid flow and

droplet size measurements.
It is the extension of Laser Doppler Velocimetry(LDV) system.
Based on using laser beams to form a measurement volume.
Measure the droplet velocity and size at the same time.
Obtain very reliable flow and size measurement,turbulence and
statistics.
It is a Primary technique for spray diagnostics.
No probe in the flow.
Small Measuring volume(tens of microns)
Good spatial resolution
Point measurement
No velocity and size calibration.
Large velocity and size range.
Desired velocity components and size measured directly.
Velocity of particle=Distance between fringes/Time it takes.
High frequency response.
Size measurement requires spherical particles.
Requires optical access.
Curved windows present issues.
Data points randomly spaced in time
Requires special techniques for determining power
spectra.
Requires high data density.