Performance Characteristics of Four Rotary Atomizers

Abstract

A one-dimensional imaging probe was used to measure samples of the spray distribution produced by four different rotary atomizers operating at several different flow rates and rotary speeds using tap water and vegetable oil as carriers. The operating characteristics of the laser imaging probe affected the data collection results. The warm-up interval, effective sampling width, droplet velocity, and spray density were the most critical factors. Each rotary atomizer produced a range of droplet sizes for which uniformity depended on the operating conditions and liquid carrier. At water flow rates below 0.5 L/min, the Micron Micromax produced the most uniform droplet distributions. At rates above 0.5 L/min of water, the Spraying Systems RotoJet produced the most uniform droplet distributions. A larger selection of volume median diameters was produced using vegetable oil rather than water as the carrier. The uniformity of the droplet distributions is controlled better with oil. The RotoJet produced the most uniform droplet distribution with oil in comparison with the other atomizers. There was little difference between water and oil as carries in the drift potential at low rotational speeds. However, at higher operating speeds the drift potential was reduced by using oil as the liquid carrier.