Gas-liquid interaction in the liquid breakup region of twin-fluid atomization

Abstract

The interaction between air and liquid in the breakup zone of twin-fluid atomization was investigated. Using a turbulence generator, it was possible to increase the turbulence intensity without increasing the mean velocity. A comparison was made between air flows where no liquid was injected and the same flows where a liquid jet was injected and disintegrated. It was concluded that the liquid jet dominates the flow by imposing low-frequency motion to the air. The study gives ground to the interpretation that the air flow influences the liquid instability near the nozzle exit and that the balance between the influence of the initial disturbance and the downstream effects is to be searched for.