Numerical simulation of liquid jet atomization in subsonic crossflow

Abstract

To explore the influence of different factors on the atomization pattern and characteristics of the crossflow, the influence of three dimensionless parameters is investigated in this paper, namely Weber number, Oh, and the momentum flux ratio q, on the atomization in subsonic crossflow. The investigations are based on the CLSVOF method and Large Eddy Simulation and developed in conjunction with adaptive mesh refinement techniques. In terms of atomization morphology, three-view drawing of the jet fragmentation morphology and cross-sectional deformation processes under different operating conditions are compared and investigated. In terms of atomization characteristics, the jet penetration depth and spraying distribution curves, as well as the fragmentation position and droplet velocity distribution are analyzed in detail. The results show that there is a pronounced effect for Weber number on the fragmentation pattern and atomization characteristics of liquid jet into a crossflow. As the Weber number increases, the column fragmentation dominated by RT instability gradually changes to surface fragmentation dominated by KH instability. The research also concluded that the momentum flux ratio q is a key element in the penetration depth, which is reflected in the fact that when q is larger, the jet bends less with a stronger penetration ability.