Atomization Characteristics of Special-Design Pneumatic Two-Fluid Nozzles for Helicopter Main Reducers: A Numerical and Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Oil mist lubrication can be utilized as an emergency lubrication system in the main reducer of a helicopter. A special-design pneumatic two-fluid nozzle is the crucial system component for atomizing lubricant oil, so exploring the atomization characteristics of the nozzle has a significance on effectively improving oil mist lubrication performance. A CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model with a DPM (discrete phase model) technique and a specialized atomization test system were set up to both numerically and experimentally investigate the nozzle’s atomization characteristics. For the atomization properties of the nozzle, the impacts of air pressure, gas–liquid pressure ratio, lubricant oil flow rate, and lubricant oil property factors, including viscosity and surface tension, were investigated. Combining the experimental and the numerical findings reveals that an increasing air pressure and gas–liquid pressure ratio contribute to the atomization effect of the nozzle, especially the air pressure. In addition, a higher lubricant oil flow rate is slightly unfavorable for atomization, but a rise in viscosity and surface tension prevents the atomization of the lubrication oil.