Abstract

This paper describes the experimental test bench used in coolant flow research with application of adjusted optical laser system. It is based on the technology of pulsed particle visualization of micro tracers, i.e. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV system) that allows for the analysis of the microstructure of the hydrodynamic liquid flow passed through the vortex inserts. Optical measurement (PIV-method) of hydro- and aerodynamic characteristics of the coolant flow allowed obtaining the velocity distribution in straight and various curved sections of the pipeline in order to reliably define the vortex formation condition and the occurrence of the pressure gradient on the outer and inner walls of the curved sections. This gives us the opportunity to verify the calculation models describing the problem of passive control (decrease) of the displacement of pipelines of power equipment, and thus to improve the reliability and safe operation of the system in general. © 2017 The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.