Formation and Breakup of Liquid Jets Curved by Gravity

Abstract

The formation and breakup of a liquid jet in air with gravity acting perpendicular to the direction of the jet is studied computationally. The liquid jet follows a parabolic path due to the influence of gravity which curves the jet trajectory. Both symmetric and asymmetric perturbations develop on the liquid surface which lead to jet breakup with varying droplet size distribution. The limiting length of the jet at breakup increases with increase in the Weber number and Ohnesorge number. At higher value of Weber number, the liquid jet traverses a longer horizontal distance when released from the same vertical height. Increasing the Bond number leads to a significant increase in the curvature of the jet trajectory. The volume of drops produced varies temporally for a given Weber number and decreases with the increasing value of Weber number. The detached drops undergo rolling motion as well as shape oscillations as they continue to fall on their trajectories.