At low velocities, horizontal liquid-liquid flows uder go gravitation ally-induced stratification, which in many practical applications complicates
significantly the direct measurement of the average properties of the
flow. The extent of flow stratification, however, can be limited through in line mixing leading to the formation of liquid-liquid dispersions with
more homogenous properties. In this work, we focus on the use of‘
active’ mixing methods using jets in cross flows (JICFs). In this paper,
a dedicated experimental flow facility for the investigation of such flows
is presented, along with the accompanying laser-based optical
measurement techniques and associated algorithms that have been
developed for this investigation. The facility allows simultaneous,
space-and time-resolved phase and velocity information to be generated
via plan ar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle velocimetry
(PIV/ PTV), with stereo-PIV used to provide information on the third (out-
of-plane) velocity component. Preliminary experimental results are
presented which demonstrate the capabilities of this arrangement
for optically examining stratified liquid-liquid flows interacting with
JICFs, leading to new insights into these complex flows. The key results
include phenomena of jets interacting with the liquid-liquid inter face,
recirculation zones that lead to further mixing, the presence of complex
compound droplets, droplet size distributions, and water concentration
profiles.