Airblast Atomization: Studies on Drop-Size Distribution

Abstract

The influence of air velocity and liquid properties on drop-size distribution is examined using an airblast atomizer in which a flat liquid sheet is exposed to high velocity air on both sides. Both photographic and lightscattering techniques are employed to measure drop sizes. The effect of the physical properties of liquids is studied by preparing special liquid solutions to obtain wide variations in one property while keeping the others sensibly constant. The results obtained show that increases in air velocity and/or reduction in liquid flow rate lead to more uniform sprays and a lower mean drop size. Higher values of viscosity and surface tension result in coarser sprays of larger mean drop size. The effect of liquid density on spray characteristics appears to be quite small. In general, it is found that any change in liquid properties or atomizer operating conditions which tends to lower the mean drop size will also tend to narrow the range of drop sizes produced.