Experimental Investigation of the Deformation of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Jet

Abstract

When a gas-liquid two-phase jet is discharged from a nozzle, its surface is fairly smooth for a certain distance from the nozzle exit. Then, deformation develops to cause jet breakup eventually. The deformation length that is defined as the length required for the jet deformation to develop is of industrial importance since significant splashing occurs when deformed jet impinges on a solid surface. The present work investigated the deformation length experimentally using air and water as the test fluids. The flow direction was vertical downward, and annular liquid film was formed at the nozzle exit. It was shown that the deformation develops faster with an increase in the gas flow rate. The measured deformation lengths were about 28.5 times the liquid film thickness estimated at the nozzle exit and no noticeable influence of the Weber number was found.