Device design and flow scaling for liquid sheet jets

Journal Article · 19 November 2018 · Physical Review Fluids

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevfluids.3.114202 · OSTI ID:1490399

Ha, Byunghang ^[1]; DePonte, Daniel P. ^[2]; Santiago, Juan G. ^[1]

---

1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
2. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States). Linac Coherent Light Source

We present a design and experimental study of microfluidic converging nozzles which creates a stable liquid sheet jet. The sheet jets formed by the nozzles can be varied between order 10 μm to submicron thicknesses (a measured minimum thickness of 560 nm). A parametric study of the jet structure was performed here including 51-fold variation of Reynolds number, 20-fold variation of Weber number, 89-fold variation of capillary number, and 12-fold variation of nozzle exit aspect ratio. These studies benefited from variation of working liquids, nozzle geometry, 10-fold variation of flow rate, and 7.1-fold variation of key length scales. Navier-Stokes simulations of internal fluid flow were also performed to identify key physical phenomena. These studies were used to propose and test physical scaling theories for jet thickness, length, and width of the primary sheet. The scaling theories are also informed by classic studies of colliding jets with similar flow structures. For sheet thickness, we present two scaling approaches: one relying on internal fluid flow calculations and the other based solely on nozzle geometry. For sheet length and width, scaling theories are presented based on the nozzle geometry and essential dimensionless flow parameters. The scalings do not require numerical simulation of external flow and exhibit efficient collapse across the parameter space. Together, the fabrication method and scaling theories provide a clear path to the rapid and efficient design of liquid sheet jets.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 1490399
• Journal Information: Physical Review Fluids, Journal Name: Physical Review Fluids Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 3; ISSN 2469-990X
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English