Postprocessing algorithm for particle-tracking velocimetry based on ellipsoidal equations

Accurate postprocessing methods are required in order to analyze the detailed flow structures from the scattered data of particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV). In particular, vorticity distributions and stream functions are not reasonably obtained by conventional methods. This paper proposes a new postprocessing algorithm based on ellipsoidal differential equations; this method utilizes data as discrete boundary conditions. The results obtained by the proposed algorithm fully satisfy the equation of continuity and simultaneously correspond well with the raw data. The performance of the algorithm is examined by applying it to two-dimensional vortex flows and isotropic turbulent flows. The results reveal that the present algorithm has the highest accuracy among several conventional methods for detecting vorticity and streamlines.