Atomization Mechanism of Wall-Bounded Two-Phase Flows

Abstract

The current understanding of droplet generation processes from liquid films is reviewed. Films are defined as liquids with one free and one wall-bound surface. In many of the systems where films occur, atomization is an undesirable side-effect of the two-phase flow. The motivation for this study, however, is a process where atomization from the film is the goal -- a gas-centered swirl coaxial rocket injector. Because atomization is often unwanted in film configurations, few studies focus on the mechanisms that cause atomization. The large body of literature on the atomization of jets and sheets is, therefore, utilized to develop an understanding of film atomization. Similarities and differences between the geometries are discussed as applicable. Generally, the atomization is considered to involve two steps: the creation of a disturbance on the film surface and the breakdown of this disturbance into droplets. Prompt atomization, where atomization occurs directly at a nozzle exit, is also briefly considered. Several atomization mechanisms are identified and qualitatively described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 19, 2005
Accession Number
ADA442937

Entities

People

  • M. D. Lightfoot

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Annular Flow
  • Boundary Layer
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Films
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Gas Flow
  • Geometry
  • Surface Tension
  • Turbulence
  • Turbulent Mixing
  • Two Dimensional
  • Two Phase Flow

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Theoretical Analysis.