Characteristics of Liquid Atomization by the Internal Mixing Twin-Fluid Atomizer (I)

Effect of Geometry of Mixing Chamber

Abstract

In order to clarify the influence of the geometry of the mixing chamber on the atomization by the internal mixing twin-fluid atomizer, several flow patterns in the mixing chamber, which were caused by the change of the mixing chamber geometry, were photographed and the Sauter mean diameter was measured by the Fraunhofer diffraction technique. The change of the mixing chamber length has an effect on the flow pattern within the mixing chamber and the Sauter mean diameter of a spray issued from the atomizer. When an atomizing air/water mass ratio is under 0.2, the Sauter mean diameter becomes smaller, as the liquid is more mixed with the atomizing air within the mixing chamber.