Robust 3D tracking of dynamic reacting particles based on holographic spatio-temporal similarity
(2026) In Combustion and Flame 287.- Abstract
Accurate three-dimensional (3D) tracking of dynamic particles in highly scattering, reacting environments like metal combustion remains challenging for conventional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). While digital holography enables volumetric imaging, traditional holographic PTV suffers from significant depth positioning errors and velocity fluctuations due to inefficient frame-by-frame processing neglecting inherent space–time continuity. This study presents a novel robust 3D tracking approach that strategically leverages spatio-temporal similarity within sequential holograms to enhance particle matching and localization precision. The core innovation integrates mutual information maximization into the particle pairing and... (More)
Accurate three-dimensional (3D) tracking of dynamic particles in highly scattering, reacting environments like metal combustion remains challenging for conventional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). While digital holography enables volumetric imaging, traditional holographic PTV suffers from significant depth positioning errors and velocity fluctuations due to inefficient frame-by-frame processing neglecting inherent space–time continuity. This study presents a novel robust 3D tracking approach that strategically leverages spatio-temporal similarity within sequential holograms to enhance particle matching and localization precision. The core innovation integrates mutual information maximization into the particle pairing and localization process. Calibration using precision-translated particles demonstrated that the proposed method achieved superior depth accuracy ((Formula presented) ) and stability compared to gradient variance and correlation coefficient-based methods. Validation experiments involved reacting iron particles in a jet flame and controlled particle–wall collisions with an inclined plate. This robust, similarity-driven PTV method significantly advances the capability to resolve complex 3D particle trajectories, velocities, and morphology evolution in challenging reactive flows, with promising potential for applications like multiphase flows and confined powder combustion diagnostics.Novelty and significance statement This work presents a novel robust 3D particle tracking algorithm that fundamentally advances digital holography diagnostics for reactive particulate flows. By synergistically integrating Mutual Information-based spatio-temporal similarity, the method enables robust tracking of individual iron particles undergoing ignition, combustion, and wall collisions under extreme conditions—addressing critical challenges in capturing rapid morphological transformations and complex interactions. The capability to resolve continuous 3D trajectories, velocity fields, and size evolution of burning metal particles represents a significant breakthrough, providing unprecedented insights into particle-scale combustion phenomena. This methodology opens new avenues for understanding metal-fuel combustion dynamics and optimizing advanced energy systems, with broad implications for combustion science, multiphase flow diagnostics, and metal-fuel technology development.
(Less)
- author
- Huang, Jianqing LU ; Cai, Weiwei ; Li, Zhongshan LU and Huang, Yue
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-05
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Digital holography, Metal combustion, Particle tracking, Particle–wall collision, Similarity
- in
- Combustion and Flame
- volume
- 287
- article number
- 114899
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105034066385
- ISSN
- 0010-2180
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.combustflame.2026.114899
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 82fac6de-e8bd-4eed-a388-471f0ddac421
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-08 13:45:37
- date last changed
- 2026-06-08 13:46:39
@article{82fac6de-e8bd-4eed-a388-471f0ddac421,
abstract = {{<p>Accurate three-dimensional (3D) tracking of dynamic particles in highly scattering, reacting environments like metal combustion remains challenging for conventional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). While digital holography enables volumetric imaging, traditional holographic PTV suffers from significant depth positioning errors and velocity fluctuations due to inefficient frame-by-frame processing neglecting inherent space–time continuity. This study presents a novel robust 3D tracking approach that strategically leverages spatio-temporal similarity within sequential holograms to enhance particle matching and localization precision. The core innovation integrates mutual information maximization into the particle pairing and localization process. Calibration using precision-translated particles demonstrated that the proposed method achieved superior depth accuracy ((Formula presented) ) and stability compared to gradient variance and correlation coefficient-based methods. Validation experiments involved reacting iron particles in a jet flame and controlled particle–wall collisions with an inclined plate. This robust, similarity-driven PTV method significantly advances the capability to resolve complex 3D particle trajectories, velocities, and morphology evolution in challenging reactive flows, with promising potential for applications like multiphase flows and confined powder combustion diagnostics.Novelty and significance statement This work presents a novel robust 3D particle tracking algorithm that fundamentally advances digital holography diagnostics for reactive particulate flows. By synergistically integrating Mutual Information-based spatio-temporal similarity, the method enables robust tracking of individual iron particles undergoing ignition, combustion, and wall collisions under extreme conditions—addressing critical challenges in capturing rapid morphological transformations and complex interactions. The capability to resolve continuous 3D trajectories, velocity fields, and size evolution of burning metal particles represents a significant breakthrough, providing unprecedented insights into particle-scale combustion phenomena. This methodology opens new avenues for understanding metal-fuel combustion dynamics and optimizing advanced energy systems, with broad implications for combustion science, multiphase flow diagnostics, and metal-fuel technology development.</p>}},
author = {{Huang, Jianqing and Cai, Weiwei and Li, Zhongshan and Huang, Yue}},
issn = {{0010-2180}},
keywords = {{Digital holography; Metal combustion; Particle tracking; Particle–wall collision; Similarity}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Combustion and Flame}},
title = {{Robust 3D tracking of dynamic reacting particles based on holographic spatio-temporal similarity}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2026.114899}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.combustflame.2026.114899}},
volume = {{287}},
year = {{2026}},
}