Fluid-Solid Coupling and Experimental Realization of a Piezoelectric Atomizer under Standing-Wave Resonance

This article introduces the design and analysis of a piezoelectric atomizer based on the principles of standing-wave resonance and a pressure-swirl nozzle. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate that the developed piezoelectric atomizer can produce uniformly sized liquid droplets. The atomizer uses piezoelectric composite plates to acquire a large displacement from the vibration of Pb(Zr, Ti)O₃ (PZT) ceramic and to exert excess pressure on the liquid using standing-wave resonance. The three-dimensional dynamic characteristics of the piezoelectric composite plates, considering the effect of the fluid-solid interface, are determined. An analysis of the fluid-solid coupling between the fluid in the resonance chamber and the vibration of the piezoelectric composite plates is conducted. The Sauter mean diameter (SMD) values of the ejected droplets and the flow rate of the piezoelectric atomizer are measured experimentally as different driving voltages. The experimental results demonstrate that the atomizer is capable of generating droplets with an SMD of 93.5 μm at a flow rate of 18.4 g/s. Relatively uniform droplets are formed below the ligaments, where the cone swirl sheet is fully developed. The piezoelectric atomizer has the potential for use in industrial and agricultural applications.