PARAMETRIC EXPERIMENTS ON LIQUID JET ATOMIZATION SPRAY ANGLE

The nature of the atomization mechanism of a high-speed cylindrical liquid jet surrounded by a gaseous atmosphere is studied by analyzing the effects of different dimensionless parameters. A series of experiments was designed to detect the influences of individual mechanisms and properties. The aerodynamic, turbulent, and cavitation mechanisms of atomization are evaluated in view of the variations observed. High-speed atomization can be explained by a combination of cavitation-generated turbulence and aerodynamic effects. A widely used formula for the spray angle was found to need a significant correction in one of its parameters.