CHAOTIC DISINTEGRATION OF A LIQUID WALL FILM: A MODEL OF AN AIR-BLAST ATOMIZATION

This experimental and theoretical study is devoted to the description of an air-blast atomizer of the prefilming type, in particular, to the modeling of the drop diameters in a spray generated by such an atomizer. In air-blast atomizers of this kind, a liquid film is formed by an impact of a primary spray onto a prefilmer. This liquid film is then disintegrated by a strong air coflow. In this study the chaotic disintegration theory is used to estimate the typical size of the liquid fragments. These fragments are formed due to the high velocity gradients in the liquid film. The theoretical predictions agree well with the experimental data.