Enhanced particle-tracking velocimetry (EPTV) with a combined two-component pair-matching algorithm

The main goal of this paper is to present, validate and demonstrate recent improvements to the original particle identification and tracking technique PTV (particle-tracking velocimetry), named EPTV (enhanced particle-tracking velocimetry). In order to improve the performance of the image-processing tools used in EPTV by means of particle-size-based tracking, a new combined two-component pair-matching algorithm has been developed, using both particle-size-related data and data for displacements of possible particles moving similarly within the neighbouring environment. Significant technique improvements have been successfully validated on synthetic images and demonstrated on real-world images. Results show the algorithm's capability to provide high spatial resolution over a wide velocity dynamic range in turbulent flow measurements.