Planar Measurements of Droplet Velocities and Sizes Within a Simplex Atomizer

Abstract

Streaked particle imaging velocimetry and sizing (SPIVS), a nonintrusive laser-based optical probe for planar measurement of individual droplet velocities and sizes within a spray, is demonstrated. SPIVS, an outgrowth of particle imaging velocimetry, was developed to facilitate droplet velocity and size measurements. Inherent features of the technique are the provision of droplet image pairing and time sequencing of droplet image pairs during the image acquisition stage and measurement of droplet size from the recorded total light-scattering energy for each droplet streak. The ability of the SPIVS technique to accurately and reliably determine droplet size and velocity is evaluated by a comparison test between this probe and a phase/Doppler particle analyzer instrument. Measurements of droplet size and velocity at various radial positions within a test spray were compared.