A study of different fluid droplets impacting on a liquid film

Abstract

Knowledge of droplet dynamics provides the basis of predicting pressure drops, holdups and corrosion inhibitor distribution in multiphase flow. Droplet size and its distribution also determine the separation efficiency between different phases. Experimental observations were conducted for droplet impingements with different fluids, droplet sizes and velocities, and film thicknesses. The observed transition boundaries were compared with the models developed by different authors. For impingement on a deep pool surface, the Marengo and Tropea correlation for splashing does not agree with the experimental results in this study. The Bai and Gosman critical Weber number for bouncing agrees with the water results but not the oil results. Three new correlations for transition boundaries between bouncing, coalescence, jetting and splashing were proposed and compared with the experimental observations. © China University of Petroleum 2008.