Experimental study on oil droplet breakup under the action of turbulent field in modified concentric cylinder rotating device

Abstract

This paper describes the breakage behaviors of oil droplets under different flow conditions when flowing turbulently in a modified concentric cylinder rotating device. The annular flow field in the modified device is locally isotropic turbulence, and the oil droplet diameter is only influenced by the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate. The TKE dissipation rate distribution under experimental conditions is obtained by the Reynold stress turbulence model. The droplet-size distribution of each sampling tube is studied by experiments, and the influence rules of oil concentration, inlet droplet diameter, and TKE dissipation rate on the droplet Sauter diameter are obtained. Based on the Hinze model, the model of the maximum stable diameter of droplets under medium turbulence intensity is established, and the accuracy of the model is verified by experiments. The new model provides a scientific basis for predicting the oil droplet breakage and has a wide range of applications.