Spray Characteristics of Plain-Jet Airblast Atomizers

Abstract

The effects of air and liquid properties and atomizer dimensions on the spray characteristics of plain-jet airblast atomizers are examined. Mean drop size and drop-size distribution are measured using an improved form of light scattering technique. The test range includes wide variations in air velocity, air pressure, air/liquid ratio, and liquid viscosity. The experimental data generally confirm the results of previous studies on prefilming types of airblast atomizers. They show that increases in air velocity, air pressure, and air/liquid ratio all tend to produce a more uniform spray and a lower mean drop size. It is also observed that any change in air properties, liquid properties, and atomizer geometry that lowers the mean drop size also produces a more uniform distribution of drop sizes in the spray.