Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Droplets splashing upon films of the same fluid of various depths

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We explore the effects of fluid films of variable depths on droplets impacting into them. Corresponding to a range of fluid “film” depths, a non-dimensional parameter—H*, defined as the ratio of the film thickness to the droplet diameter—is varied in the range 0.1≤H*≤10. In general, the effect of the fluid film imposes a dramatic difference on the dynamics of the droplet–surface interaction when compared to a similar impact on a dry surface. This is illustrated by the size distribution and number of the splash products. While thin fluid films (H*≈0.1) promote splashing, thicker films (1≤H*≤10) act to inhibit it. The relative roles of surface tension and viscosity are investigated by comparison of a matrix of fluids with low and high values of these properties. Impingement conditions, as characterized by Reynolds and Weber numbers, are varied by velocity over a range from 1.34 to 4.22 m/s, maintaining a constant droplet diameter of 2.0 mm. The dependence of splashing dynamics, characterized by splash product size and number, on the fluid surface tension and viscosity and film thickness are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen RF (1975) The role of surface tension in splashing. J Colloid Surface Sci 51:350–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergeron V, Quere D (2001) Water droplets make an impact. Physics World May, pp 27–30

  • Bernardin JD, Stebbins CJ, Mudawar I (1997) Effects of surface roughness on water droplet impact history and heat transfer regimes. Int J Heat Mass Transfer 40:73–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussman M, Chandra S, Mostaghimi J (2000) Modeling the splash of a droplet impacting a solid surface. Phys Fluids 12:3121–3132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coghe A, Brunello G, Cossali GE, Marengo M (1999) Single drop splash on thin film: Measurements of crown characteristics. In: ILASS Europe 1999

  • Cossali GE, Brunello G, Coghe A, Marengo M (1999) Impact of a single drop on a liquid film: experimental analysis and comparison with empirical models. In: Italian congress of thermofluid dynamics UIT, Ferrara, 30th June–2nd June

  • Cossali GE, Coghe A, Marengo M (1997) The impact of a single drop on a wetted solid surface. Exp Fluids 22:463–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardalupas Y, Taylor AMKP, Wilkins JH (1999) Experimental investigation of sub-millimeter droplet impingement onto spherical surfaces. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 20:477–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs PV, Osheroff T (1967) Splashing of drops on shallow liquids. Science 158:1184–1186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayaratne OW, Mason BJ (1964) The coalescence and bouncing of water drops at an air/water interface. Proc R Soc Lond A 280:545–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Josserand C, Zaleski S (2003) Droplet splashing on a thin liquid film. Phys Fluids 15:1650–1657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H-Y, Feng ZC, Chun J-H (2000) Instability of a liquid jet emerging from a droplet upon collision with a solid surface. Physics of Fluids 12:531–541

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lavergne G, Platet B (2000) Droplet impingement on cold and wet wall. In: ILASS-Europe, Sept. 11–13, VII:12.1–12.7

  • Levin Z, Hobbs PV (1971) Splashing of water drops on solid and wetted surfaces: Hydrodynamics and charge separation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser A 269:555–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macklin WC, Metaxas GJ (1976) Splashing of drops on liquid layers. J Appl Physics 47:3963–3970

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manzello SL, Yang JC (2002) An experimental study of a water droplet impinging on a liquid surface. Exp Fluids 32:580–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao TM, Kuhn DCS, Tran H (1997) Spread and rebound of liquid droplets upon impact on flat surfaces. AIChE J 43:2169–2179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundo CHR, Sommerfeld M, Tropea C (1995) Droplet-wall collisions: experimental studies of the deformation and breakup process. Int J Multiphase Flow 21:151–173

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Naber JD, Reitz RD (1988) Modelling engine spray/wall impingement. SAE 880107

  • Oguz HN, Prosperetti A (1990) Bubble entrainment by the impact of drops on liquid surfaces. J Fluid Mech 219:143–179

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Park K, Watkins AP (1996) Comparison of wall spray impaction models with experimental data on drop velocities and sizes. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 17:424–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul HH, Chigier N (eds) (1995) Mechanics and combustion of droplets and sprays. Begell House Inc., New York

  • Prunet-Foch B, Legay F, Vignes-Adler M, Delmotte C (1998) Impacting emulsion drop on a steel plate: Influence of the solid substrate. J Colloid Interface Sci 199:151–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Range K, Feuillebois F (1998) Influence of surface roughness on liquid drop impact. J Colloid Interface Sci 203:16–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rein M (1996) The translational regime between coalescing and splashing drops. J Fluid Mech 306:145–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieber M, Frohn A (1999) A numerical study on the mechanism of splashing. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 20:455–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rioboo R, Marengo M, Tropea C (2002) Time evolution of liquid drop impact onto solid dry surfaces. Exp Fluids 33:112–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez F, Mesler R (1985) Some drops don’t splash. J Colloid Interface Sci 106:347–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roisman IV, Araneo L, Marengo M, Tropea C (1999) Evaluation of drop impingement models: experimental and numerical analysis of a spray impact. In: ILASS-Europe’99, Toulouse France

  • Roisman IV, Tropea C (2002) Impact of a drop onto a wetted wall: description of crown formation and propagation. J Fluid Mech 472:373–397

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Sivakumar D, Tropea C (2002) Splashing impact of a spray onto a liquid film. Phys Fluids 14:L85–L88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stow CD, Hadfield MG (1981) An experimental investigation of fluid flow resulting from the impact of a water drop with an unyielding dry surface. Proc R Soc Lond A 373:419–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Stow CD, Stainer RD (1977) The physical products of a splashing water drop. J Meterol Soc Jpn 55:518–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoroddsen ST, Sakakibara J (1998) Evolution of the fingering pattern of an impacting drop. Phys Fluids 10:1359–1374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trujillo MF, Lee CF (2001) Modeling crown formation due to the splashing of a droplet. Phys Fluids 13:2503–2516

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Walzel P (1980) Zerteilgrenze beim Tropfenaufprall. Chem Ing Tech 52:338–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang A-B, Chen C-C (2000) Splashing impact of a single drop onto very thin liquid films. Phys Fluids 12:2155–2158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weast RC (ed) (1973) Chemical rubber company handbook of chemistry and physics, 54th edn. Cleveland

  • Yarin AL, Weiss D (1995) Impact of drops on solid surface: self-similar capillary waves and splashing as a new type of cinematic discontinuity. J Fluid Mech 283:141–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a NASA NRA 01-HEDs-03 Fluid Physics award (RVW) administered through NASA cooperative agreement NCC3-975 with The National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion (NCMR) at The NASA-Glenn Research Center.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NASA-Glenn, M.S. 110-3, 21000 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH, 44135, USA

    Randy L. Vander Wal, Gordon M. Berger & Steven D. Mozes

Authors
  1. Randy L. Vander Wal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gordon M. Berger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Steven D. Mozes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Randy L. Vander Wal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vander Wal, R.L., Berger, G.M. & Mozes, S.D. Droplets splashing upon films of the same fluid of various depths. Exp Fluids 40, 33–52 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-005-0044-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-005-0044-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation