Production of homogeneous spray by induced cyclic disturbance of low-velocity jet streams

Abstract

Research was conducted to refine a technique for producing uniform diameter spray drops by inducing cyclic disturbances on low-velocity jet streams. A sonic device was used to create pressure pulses in a liquid-filled chamber and thus induce the disturbances on liquid jets issuing from a thin-plate multiple-orifice nozzle. Three independent controlled experiments were conducted in the laboratory. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effect of inducing cyclic disturbances on water jet streams. The frequency of the disturbances was set according to the theoretical wavelength of maximum instability for a low-velocity water jet stream. Experimental treatments were combinations of six orifice diameters (56, 86, 130, 184, 220, and 324 microns) and three jet stream velocities (200, 500, and 800 cm per sec), both "with" and "without" induced cyclic disturbance. Satellite production, central tendency of the drop size, dispersion of the drop size, central tendency of the drop spacing within streams, and dispersion of the drop spacing within streams were evaluated. ...