Energy considerations in twin-fluid atomization

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2906311· OSTI ID:5272887

Lefebvre, A H ^[1]

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1. Atomization and Spray Lab., Thermal Science and Propulsion Center, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (US)

With certain types of prefilming airblast atomizers, the manner in which the atomizing air impinges on the liquid sheet prohibits the wave formation that normally precedes the breakup of a liquid sheet into drops. Instead, the liquid is shattered almost instantaneously into drops of various sizes. This prompt atomization process is characterized by a broad range of drop sizes in the spray and by a lack of sensitivity of mean drop size to variations in liquid viscosity, atomizing air pressure, and initial liquid sheet thickness. Evidence is presented to show that which of these two different modes of atomization will occur in any given flow situation is largely dependent on the angle at which the atomizing air impinges on the liquid sheet. In this paper an equation for mean drop size, derived from the assumption that the main factor controlling prompt atomization is the ratio of the energy required for atomization to the kinetic energy of the atomizing air, is shown to provide a good fit to experimental data acquired from atomization studies on water and heating oil, carried out over wide ranges of air velocity, air/liquid ratio, and ambient air pressure.

• OSTI ID: 5272887
• Journal Information: Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power; (United States) Vol. 114:1; ISSN JETPE; ISSN 0742-4795
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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