Correlations between the two-phase gas/liquid spray atomization and the stokes/aerodynamic weber numbers

The The effects of air-to-liquid ratio (β) and void fraction (α) on Sauter mean diameter (SMD or D32), arithmetic mean diameter (D10), surface mean diameter (D20), volume mean diameter (VMD or D20), and radial velocity profiles were experimentally investigated for a two-phase gas/liquid (TPGL) nozzle with a hybrid design of classical twin-fluid and effervescent nozzles. Radial spray profiles were measured using a Phase-Doppler-Particle-Anemometer (PDPA) system on 15Dn, 30Dn, 60Dn, 120Dn;(Dn represents nozzle diameter = 3.10,mm) axial distances. In addition, the effects of spray break-up patterns were analyzed with changing axial distances. The average void fraction in the feeding conduit (FC) was measured by a pneumatic controlled quick-closing-valve (QCV). The experiments were performed using mixtures of air with water at water flow rates of 1.50 to 7.50 kg/min and air-to-liquid mass ratios (β) of 0.30 to 10;%. The length and diameter of the FC was 36.8,cm and 6.35,mm, respectively. Result indicates that as the St number reaches the value of one, no more break-up continues, thus the droplets start to coalesce each other forming bigger droplets (higher D10 values) with increasing radial distances. Knowledge from this study will provide better understanding that ensures an increase in plant efficiency and product yield in oil sands bitumen upgrading.