Abstract
In this paper, the droplet size distributions of high-velocity airblast atomization were analyzed. The spray measurement was performed by a Phase-Doppler anemometer at several points and different diameters across the spray for diesel oil, light heating oil, crude rapeseed oil, and water. The atomizing gauge pressure and the liquid preheating temperature varied from 0.3 to 2.4 bar and 25 to 100 °C, respectively. Approximately 400 million individual droplets were recorded; therefore, a big data evaluation technique was applied. 18 of the most commonly used probability density functions (PDF) were fitted to the histogram of each measuring point and evaluated by their relative log-likelihood. Among the three-parameter PDFs, Generalized Extreme Value and Burr PDFs provided the most desirable result to describe a complete drop size distribution. With restriction to two-parameter PDFs, the Nakagami PDF unexpectedly outperformed all the others, including Weibull (Rosin-Rammler) PDF, which is commonly used in atomization. However, if the spray is characterized by a single value, such as the Sauter Mean Diameter, i.e. an expected value-like parameter is of primary importance over the distribution, Gamma PDF is the best option, used in several papers of the atomization literature.
Highlights
The general behavior of a spray is well estimated by the average droplet size [1]; the size distribution is increasingly important in practical applications
Since the size distribution is approximated by several probability density functions (PDF) types, even for airblast atomizers only, the goal of the present study is to perform an exhaustive analysis on PDF fitting
It highlights the differences between D and rapeseed oil (RO) atomization and the size distribution of the central and peripheral regions
Summary
The general behavior of a spray is well estimated by the average droplet size [1]; the size distribution is increasingly important in practical applications. The present study was motivated by liquid fuel combustion, where spray evaporation affects pollutant emissions [2]. The effect of liquid preheating on the Sauter mean diameter (SMD) was discussed in a previous paper [4]; currently, its impact on the droplet size distribution is evaluated. Beyond general-purpose painting [5], thin-films in e.g., fuel cell [6] and semiconductor technologies [7] are quite sensitive to the size distribution of a spray. A uniform drop size distribution is of high importance for CO2 capture efficiency in spray towers [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
