Desarrollo de un instrumento virtual experimental que determine gráficamente estructuras granulares generadas por inestabilidades hidrodinámicas.

Abstract

This curricular integration research project aimed to develop an experimental virtual instrument based on image processing that allows graphically determining granular structures generated by hydrodynamic instabilities formed by modifying the variables excitation frequency, acceleration, and thickness of the overlying liquid layer. For this reason, through literature review techniques, the theoretical and conceptual foundations were examined of everything related to the influence of hydrodynamic instabilities in the formation of granular structures, including topics related to image processing. The project consists of 4 modules, each with a different and complementary function. The vibration generation module is responsible for sending an amplified sine wave toward the shaker through a function generator and a power amplifier to produce vertical vibrations that affect the containing cells. The sample generation module aims to measure the percentages and weights of the carrier liquid and the particles to obtain a sample that best fits the vertical vibrations. In the data acquisition module are the photographic cameras and the necessary lighting for capturing images of the patterns formed on the free liquid surface of and on the particle bed. The processing and visualization module conclude with the development of the virtual instrument, where the step-by-step process for the design and development of the instrument is explained, using various programming tools such as Python and machine learning like convolutional neural networks. Finally, the tests are conducted on the instrument, along with their respective results, to obtain high-quality data that is relevant and accurate in the study of granular structures generated from hydrodynamic instabilities, as well as results that show the reliability and validation of the virtual instrument.