Parametric Study of Primary Breakup of Turbulent Liquid Jets in Crossflow: Role of Weber number

Abstract

A parametric study of primary breakup of turbulent liquid jets in crossflow is performed using detailed numerical simulations. Specifically, the role of crossflow and liquid Weber number in determining the size and shape of the liquid structures that separate from the liquid column is quantified. To quantify the size and shape of the liquid structures, a methodology derived from differential geometry that characterizes three-dimensional structures based on the shape index, curvedness and stretching parameter is applied to the liquid jet. For the range of parameters considered in this study, it is observed that the liquid Weber number determines the shape and number of separated structures, while the crossflow Weber number determines their characteristic thickness. Implications of this study in modeling primary breakup of liquid jets are discussed.