Penetration and break-up studies of discrete liquid jets in cross flowing airstreams

Abstract

Penetration and breakup characteristics of a discrete liquid jet injected into a high-velocity cross flowing airstream were investigated as a basis of plain jet airblast atomizer design. The main variables covered in this phase were, airstream velocity (from about 35 to 150 m/s), liquid jet velocity (from about 5 to 25 m/s) and injection orifice diameter (from about 0.5 to 2.5 mm). The tests were conducted under conditions of normal atmospheric pressure and temperature using still photography for penetration profile and a laser light scattering technique for mean dropsize determination. The experimental penetration data is shown to agree, reasonably accurately, with a relatively simple model developed in the Paper. The analysis of the experimental breakup data reveals the airstream velocity as exercising the strongest influence upon Sauter Mean Diameter.