Use of positron-emission particle tracking (PEPT) technique for velocity measurements in model food fluids

Positron-emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a method of following particles in opaque fluids inside metal equipment. Comparison of experimental and theoretical velocity distributions obtained in aluminum pipes indicated that PEPT can be used to measure velocity distributions in viscous fluids for conditions of relevance to the food industry. Velocities were also measured for a fluid containing starch particles using 2 tracers having diameters of 600 and 240 mum. Velocity profiles were not significantly different, but the smaller tracer passed closer to the flow boundaries. PEPT was also used to quantify the effect of headspace on the velocity distributions of rotating cans containing soup. While in fully filled cans, fluid moved in circular motion, addition of air altered this, resulting in D-shape velocity contours.