High speed imaging of drop formation from low viscosity liquids and polymer melts in spinning disk atomization

Abstract

AbstractAn investigation of drop formation in a recently developed spinning disk atomization (SDA) technique is presented. In‐situ observations of drop formation at the disk rim, using a high speed imaging installation, are made. Atomizations covering two orders of magnitude in flow rate show that ligaments can also form at low flow rates. Sequences of pictures indicate that drops undergo a rotary motion as they detach from a ligament. In the direct drop regime, oscillating motions dominate. The effect of teeth shape at the disk rim on the resulting drops is compared. The effect on drop size and size distribution is found to decrease with increasing rotation rate and corresponding images are studied. Experiments with liquid viscosities ranging from 1 to 120 mPas reveal a fundamental difference in drop breakup, but a negligible change in drop size. Likewise, only a small effect of liquid density is detected. The surface tension's influence on the liquid spreading at the disk rim is described and the subsequent drop formation is qualitatively analyzed.