Andres Van Brecht

Quantification of air flow patterns by image processing

In a ventilated space, the incoming air jet and the resulting air flow pattern play key roles in the removal or supply of heat, moisture, and harmful gases from or to living organisms (man, animal, plant). In this research, two low cost image processing methods (boundary peeling and optical flow) were developed to quantify the 2-D trajectory and the deflection angle of an air jet in a ventilated room. The image processing algorithms were applied to a wide range of air jets in a laboratory test room. Based on the deflection angle of the air jet trajectory from the initial path, a distinction could be made between falling, instable or horizontal air jets.