Spray Characterization and Turbulence Properties in an Isothermal Spray With Swirl

The present work reports an experimental study of the effect of swirl on the dynamic behavior of drops and on the velocity and turbulence fields of an isothermal spray using a two-component Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA). It represents the first phase of an effort to investigate the effect of swirl on the structure of liquid spray flames, the stability of the flame, and its effect on the emission of pollutants. A vane-type swirler was placed on the liquid supply tube of a pressure atomizer and tested in the wind tunnel under specified conditions. Mean velocity and turbulence properties were obtained for the gas phase. In addition, drop velocity and drop size distributions, particle number densities, and volume flux were measured at different locations within the swirling flow. Large differences in the spatial distribution of the drops over its size, velocity, and number density are observed when the spray in coflowing air with the same axial velocity is compared with the atomizer spraying into the swirling flow field. Large drops seem to be recirculated into the core of the swirling flow, while rather small drops surround this central region. The radial distribution of particle number density and the liquid volume flux are also different when the atomizer spraying into the coflowing air and into the swirling field are compared. Particle number densities for the latter exhibit higher peak values close to the nozzle; but show almost the same peak values as in the coflowing case but at a different radial location further downstream. The velocity of specific drop sizes was also obtained. Drops as large as 5μm are seen to follow closely the mean velocity of the gas. The turbulence properties of the swirling flow show significant influence on the dynamic behavior of the drops. Radial distributions of turbulence kinetic energy, normal Reynolds stresses, and Reynolds shear stresses exhibit double peak values, which delineate the boundaries of the central recirculation region and the external free stream. Within these boundaries the radial distribution of both particle number density and volume flux are seen to attain their maximum values.