Experimental and Theoretical Study of Fine Interfacial Waves on Thin Liquid Sheet

Abstract

A fine interfacial wave pattern was observed on the thin liquid sheet jet in a cocurrent gas stream. The experimental observation revealed that this wave motion affected on the disintegration of the liquid sheet. To clarify the factor affecting the liquid sheet wave motion and disintegration, the fine interfacial waves were investigated experimentally. The fundamental mechanism of the fine interfacial waves was described. Then, the instability of the plane liquid sheet was also analyzed by numerically solving the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Comparing the theoretical results with the experimental results, the hydrodynamical mechanism of interfacial wave occurrence was explained. Also, it was suggested that the interfacial wave was caused by the internal instability of the plane liquid sheet.