THE EFFECT OF GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS OF A CENTRIFUGAL AIR-BLAST ATOMIZER ON THE SPRAY STRUCTURE

Abstract

The formation of liquid spray structures utilized for specific applications under typical operating conditions is the primary objective in the atomizer development and liquid supply systems. The nozzle structure is one of the most crucial factors directly affecting the formation of the spray structure. This article experimentally examine the influence of the structural parameters of a centrifugal air-blast atomizer on its spray structure. The structural parameters selected for investigation include the diameter of the liquid swirl chamber, the nozzle orifice diameter, and the inclination angle of the air swirl blades. The subject of this study is the nozzle of the main engine mounted on underwater vehicles. The jet structure is characterized by key parameters including the jet cone angle, the jet breakup length, and the size of the liquid droplets within the jet. The findings demonstrated that when DS decreased or D0 increased, the droplet size was smaller. With d10 and d32 changing between 8.0 and 17.7 m and 12.0 to 29.5 m, respectively, the droplet size is stable and uniform at positions 45 mm from the nozzle hole. The research results may serve as a scientific basis for proposing structural modifications to enhance the jet breakup process, thereby improving the main engine's performance.