In order to understand the reasons for the apparent benefits of using a flow-blurring (FB) atomizer in a combustion system, it is necessary to first examine fundamental spray characteristics under nonreacting conditions. Previous work on FB atomizers, however, has mostly involved only water and a relatively narrow range of parameters. In this study, a phase Doppler anemometry (PDA) instrument was used to characterize FB atomizer sprays and determine the effects of varying surface tension and viscosity of the liquid. Operating at room pressure and temperature (i.e., a “cold spray”), droplet sizes and velocities were measured for water, a water/surfactant mixture (lower surface tension), a water/glycerol mixture (higher viscosity), and glycerol (much higher viscosity). For all of the tested fluids, with the exception of pure glycerol, the FB atomizer produced small droplets (below 50 μm) whose size did not vary significantly in the radial or axial direction, particularly above a characteristic distance from the atomizer exit. Results show that the spray is essentially unaffected by a 4.5× decrease in surface tension or a 7× increase in viscosity, and that Sauter mean diameter (SMD) only increased by approximately a factor of three when substituting glycerol (750× higher viscosity) for water. The results suggest that the FB atomizer can effectively atomize a wide range of liquids, making it a useful fuel-flexible atomizer for combustion applications.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
April 2018
Research-Article
Effects of Fluid Properties on Spray Characteristics of a Flow-Blurring Atomizer
Brian T. Fisher,
Brian T. Fisher
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
e-mail: brian.fisher@nrl.navy.mil
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
e-mail: brian.fisher@nrl.navy.mil
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael R. Weismiller,
Michael R. Weismiller
Naval Research Laboratory,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20375
4555 Overlook Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20375
Search for other works by this author on:
Steven G. Tuttle,
Steven G. Tuttle
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
Search for other works by this author on:
Katherine M. Hinnant
Katherine M. Hinnant
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
Search for other works by this author on:
Brian T. Fisher
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
e-mail: brian.fisher@nrl.navy.mil
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
e-mail: brian.fisher@nrl.navy.mil
Michael R. Weismiller
Naval Research Laboratory,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20375
4555 Overlook Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20375
Steven G. Tuttle
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
Katherine M. Hinnant
Naval Research Laboratory,
Chemistry Division,
Washington, DC 20375
Chemistry Division,
4555 Overlook Avenue SW
,Washington, DC 20375
1Corresponding author.
2Present address: Department of Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office, EE-3V, Room 5G-030, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585.
Contributed by the Combustion and Fuels Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received July 28, 2017; final manuscript received August 3, 2017; published online November 7, 2017. Editor: David Wisler.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 2018, 140(4): 041511 (8 pages)
Published Online: November 7, 2017
Article history
Received:
July 28, 2017
Revised:
August 3, 2017
Citation
Fisher, B. T., Weismiller, M. R., Tuttle, S. G., and Hinnant, K. M. (November 7, 2017). "Effects of Fluid Properties on Spray Characteristics of a Flow-Blurring Atomizer." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 2018; 140(4): 041511. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4038084
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Investigating the Mixture Quality in Multi-Injector Burner Systems, Part II: Model Application
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Gldan: Global and Local Domain Adaptation Network for Cross-Wind Turbine Fault Diagnosis
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Related Articles
Ejection Process Simulation for a Piezoelectric Microdroplet Generator
J. Fluids Eng (November,2006)
The Effect of Dissolving Salts in Water Sprays Used for Quenching a Hot Surface: Part 1—Boiling of Single Droplets
J. Heat Transfer (April,2003)
Theoretical Investigation of the Influence of Liquid Physical Properties on Effervescent Atomization Performance
J. Fluids Eng (October,2011)
Micromachined Ultrasonic Print-Head for Deposition of High-Viscosity Materials
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng (June,2010)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
A New Boom Mechanism Design for Corn Sprayer
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Technology (ICMET-London 2011)
Numerical Simulation of Nucleate Spray Cooling: Effect of Droplet Impact on Bubble Growth and Heat Transfer in a Thin Liquid Film
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)
Effects of Acoustic Parameters and Bulk Fluid Properties on Acoustic Droplet Vaporization Threshold of Perfluoropentane Droplets
Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Cavitation (CAV2018)