A non-linear model for impinging jets atomization

Abstract

The problem considered is predicting the characteristics of the spray produced by atomization of an attenuating liquid sheet formed by the impingement of two liquid jets of equal diameters and momenta. A second-order non-linear perturbation analysis is employed to model the evolution of harmonic instability waves that lead to sheet distortion and fragmentation. The onset of atomization occurs when the uneven surface modulations of the thinning sheet bring its upper and lower interfaces in contact. It is found that the sheet is torn into ligaments at each half wavelength. The instability of the ligaments causes their eventual disintegration into drops. The results indicate that sheet breakup length, time, and resultant drop size decrease as Weber number is increased. A higher Weber number induces a greater sheet breakup thickness. The breakup length, thickness, time, and drop size are diminished at larger impingement angles. The theoretical predictions of the present non-linear model are in good agreement with available experimental data and empirical correlations for sheet breakup length and drop size.