Image processing algorithm for droplet measurement after impingement

Droplet impingement cooling on flat surfaces finds its applications in spray cooling of hot surfaces, deposition of molten metal on surfaces, plasma coating, cooling of brake pad, turbine blade and in electronic chip cooling. Optimization of such a process requires a thorough understanding of the hydrodynamic process which happens during impingement of the droplet on the surface. Image processing techniques can be employed to understand the process. Image processing is converting an image into digital form and analyzing it, to get an improved image and extracting the desired information from it. The technique is widely used in face detection, remote sensing applications, machine vision and industrial robotics. In the present work an image processing algorithm is developed for a specific surface cooling technique. A hot surface is treated by impinging droplets. The size of the droplets can alter the material characteristics significantly. The objective of the present work is to develop an image processing algorithm to find the droplet dimensions. The variation in radius and height is examined with the help of Matlab software. Edge detection techniques are used to determine the boundaries of the droplet clearly. The algorithm is developed using Matlab toolbox and is capable of measuring droplet height and spreading radius in detail. The advantage of this algorithm is that the technique can be employed to the process in real time.