A numerical study on the breakup process of laminar liquid jets into a gas

Abstract

Surface phenomena of liquid jets into still air are numerically investigated. The liquid and air are treated as a single continuum with dynamically evolving interfaces captured by the level-set method. The jets considered are laminar: the jet exit Reynolds number ranges from 480 to 2300, with the Weber number of 3.1–28 000. The liquid/air density ratios are about 103. In comparison with an empirical correlation, the present simulations reasonably predict the breakup lengths of round liquid jets at low Weber numbers. The development of the surface wave is captured and the breakup mechanisms are discussed referring to a conventional classification chart. The breakup phenomenon at high Weber and Ohnesorge numbers is also analyzed. It is then found that large-scale longitudinal-vortex motions, which are initially generated inside the liquid core by relaxation of the axial liquid velocity profile and surface shear, are amplified by surface motions due to instability. They grow up and eventually overcome inertial and surface-tension forces leading to a sudden breakup of the liquid column.