summaery2023: Projects

Science Mile Q3 | Schlieren method for the visualization of room air flows

Project information

submitted by
Lia Becher

Co-Authors
Amayu Wakoya Gena

Mentors
Conrad Völker

Faculty:
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Degree programme:
Civil Engineering (Master of Science (M.Sc.))

Type of project presentation
Research project

Semester
Summer semester 2023

Exhibition Location / Event Location
  • Coudraystraße 13B
    (Raum 110 - Schlierenlabor)


Project description

The optical schlieren and background oriented schlieren (BOS) methods can be used to visualize indoor air flows over large areas. Both methods are based on the physical principle of light deflection, which the light rays experience as soon as they enter a medium with a different density. In order to visualize these density gradients two-dimensionally with the Schlieren method, a Schlier mirror with astronomical qualities is used at the Chair of Building Physics, the diameter of which is 1m. In contrast to the schlieren method, the BOS method can also record the density differences 2.5-dimensionally or three-dimensionally with several cameras. In this case, the BOS uses an irregular background pattern to visualize the air flows, which is virtually distorted due to the light beams deflected at the density gradient. Furthermore, here the measurement range is theoretically spatially unlimited. Both methods use a high-resolution camera to record the air flows.

Exhibition Location / Event Location