Impact of Droplet Clustering on Heat Transfer in Spray Processes

Abstract

The transient state and unsteadiness of sprays from twin-fluid atomizers in enclosures is analysed. The investigated flows show differently scaled spray structures. Especially the meso-scale droplet clustering and coherent vortex structures in the gas are quantified. Droplet clustering can be caused by pulsating liquid disintegration procedures or droplet interaction with eddy structures in the gas. The preferential concentration of droplets influences the heat and mass transfer for individual droplets within the spray cone. This effect of droplet clustering is of interest for many spray applications, e.g. in automotive spray combustion. This numerical work focuses on the interaction of droplets with shear layer vortices at the spray edge.