A two-component Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) is acquired for a combined experimental and numerical study to enhance the basic understanding of the physics of two-way coupling between small spherical particles and turbulence. The two-way nonlinear coupling between particles and turbulence encompasses the dispersion of discrete particles due to the turbulent motion of the fluid, and the modulation of the turbulence structure by the motion on the particles. The primary goal of the experimental study is to simultaneously measure the instantaneous velocities of the fluid and particles in two directions and at two positions using a specially designed two-component LDV. The results obtained from direct numerical simulation will be compared with the experimental data, and used to test and improve available turbulence closure models of particle-laden flows.
