Paper 23: The Collision of Drops with Dry and Wet Surfaces in an Air Atmosphere

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation into the behaviour of drops which impinge upon dry and wet surfaces. This is of particular interest in the context of the wet steam turbine. Two approaches have been made in the studies; these are: (1) Drops were made to impinge normally on to various types of dry, stationary surfaces. The drops were in the size range 300–1500 μm diameter with velocities of 2–9 m/s. (2) Drops were made to impinge on to surfaces moving with considerable velocity at right angles to the motion of the drop. Surface velocities ranged up to 45 m/s. The latter study is of direct interest for the splashing of drops on turbine casings at small glancing angles, as occurs near drainage belts. Analysis of the mechanisms involved is made from the records of high-speed ciné photography.