Dynamic behavior of liquid sheets

Adel Mansour, and Norman Chigier

Citation: Physics of Fluids A: Fluid Dynamics 3, 2971 (1991); doi: 10.1063/1.857839

View online: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.857839
View Table of Contents: https://aip.scitation.org/toc/pfa/3/12
Published by the American Institute of Physics

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Dynamic behavior of liquid sheets
Adel Mansour and Norman Chigier
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie~Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
(Received 17 August 1990;accepted 15 July 1991)
An experiment was conducted to study the aerodynamic instability of liquid sheetsissuing
from a two-dimensional air-assistednozzle. Detailed measurementsof the frequency of
oscillation of the liquid sheet have been made. The measuredvibrational frequencieswere then
correlated with the resulting spray angle. It was shown that the liquid sheet oscillations are
dynamically similar to that of hard spring systems.For each air pressure,three distinct modes
of breakup are distinguished. At low liquid flow rates, the sinusoidal mode of breakup is
dominant. At intermediate liquid flow rates, both the sinusoidal and the dilational modes are
superimposedon the liquid sheet.With a further increasein liquid flow rate, the liquid sheet
oscillations mainly becomeof the dilational type. It was also shown that the effect of
introducing air in the nozzle is similar to the effect of inducing forced vibrations on the nozzle
jaws. Thus, for each air flow rate, there is a specific vibration frequency for the nozzle. The
frequency of these vibrations is proportional to the air velocity. As the liquid sheet natural
frequency approachesthat of the nozzle, resonanceis established.At resonance,the maximum
spray angle is achieved.

I. INTRODUCTION independently to allow independentinvestigation of the liq-

Atomization is a processwhereby a volume of liquid is
convertedinto a multiplicity of small drops. Its principal aim
is to produce a high ratio of surface to mass in the liquid
phasewhich results in very high evaporation rates. Air-blast
atomization is a process in which the disruptive action of
externally applied aerodynamic forces are opposed by the
consolidating influence of viscosity and surface tension
forces. Theoretical and/or experimental studies on the
mechanism of atomization have been carried out by Ray-
leigh,’ Tyler,” Weber,3 Haenlein,4 Ohnesorge,’and Castle-
man.6
The merits of the air-blast atomizer have led in recent
years to its installation in a wide range of industrial and air-
craft engines.Most of the systemsnow in service are of the
“prefilming” type in which the fuel is spreadout into a thin,
continuous sheetand then subjectedto the atomizing action
of high-velocity air. .-
If the basic mechanismsinvolved in air-blast atomiza-
tion were fully understood,then, for any given application, it
should be possibleto designan atomizer of optimum perfor-
mance. Unfortunately, knowledge of the air-blast atomiza-
tion process is still incomplete, although, in recent years,
researchin this areahas acceleratedappreciably, largely as a
result of the recognized potential of air-blast atomizers for
minimizing the output of pollutant emissions from air-
breathing engines.
uid and air sheet thickness.
The disintegration of liquid sheetshas beenstudied pre-
viously. Useful photographic studies on spray formation
have been carried out by Lee and Spencer’and Fraser.’
However, the most important advancesin this area are by
Dombrowski and his co-workers.9-12Their photographic
evidencesuggeststhat the interaction with the surrounding
air creates waves in the thin liquid sheet which cause the
sheet to break down into ligaments and then into drops.
Fogler and Kleinschmit, I3 during a study of spray drying
with swirl-spray nozzles,found that pronouncedwavesmay
form, superimposed on the conical sheet. Fraser et all4
found that the spraying of an emulsion of soluble oil results
in a network of unstable liquid threads causedby perfora-
tions in the sheet.Hagerty and Shea” conducted an experi-
mental and theoretical study on a flat sheet of liquid pro-
duced by a slender orifice that was subjected to waves of
different frequency. They concluded that only two types of
waves are possible at any given frequency. Either the two
surfaces of the sheet are in phase to produce sinusoidal
-.-- Air

An experimental study has been conducted on a two-

dimensional twin fluid atomizer in which a liquid sheet is x - Liquid
“sandwiched” between two sheets of high-speed air. This
configuration allows high-speedphotography and imaging - Air
------I
of the air-liquid interface region. The two-dimensional vari-
able geometry air-blast atomizer is shown in Fig. 1. A liquid
sheet emergesfrom a central slit with a high aspect ratio.
High-velocity air impingeson both sidesof the liquid sheetat
the nozzle exit. The liquid and air gap sizes can be varied FIG. 1. Two-dimensional variable geometry air-blast atomizer.

2971 Phys. Fluids A 3 (12), December 1991 0899-8213/91 /I 22971-l 0$02.00 @ 1991 American Institute of Physics 2971
waves, or they oscillate out of phase to produce dilational
waves.For low ambient pressure where the liquid density to
gas density is high, it has been shown that the growth rate,
ps!,,for the sinusoidal wave is always greater than the growth
rate, fid, for .the dilational wave of the same frequency. Thus
all disturbances measured experimentally were of the sinu-
soidal wave character.
Particular attention has been paid to the atomization of
flat sheetsbecauseoftheir simplicity and becausethey pro-
vide a convenient model for both experimental and theoreti-
cal study. These sheetscan be produced in a variety of ways
by the impingement of liquid streams or by their impact on a
solid! stationary or rotating surfacE A simple method is to
use the fan nozzle, a device $&&enabies the proper!tiesand
dimensionsof the sheet to be easily controlled by varying the
approach passagesto the nozzfe orifice. r6
Detailed studies ofjet and sheet disintegration are of
fundamental interest and importance, So far, ,.there is no
agreementon the mechanics ofatomization. Conflicting the-
ories have been proposed regarding the effect of vibrational
frequencieson the disintegration of liquid jets and sheets.In
this study, measured vibrational frequencies are correlated
with spray angle. Previous studies have been conducted by
subjecting the sheet to forced oscillations at the nozzle exit,
This paper describes natural phenomena without resorting
to-forced vibrations. Microphotography was used to deter-
mine the global structure of the sprays, and a light attenu-
ation technique was employed to measurethe frequencies of
oscillation.
Il. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: THE TWO-
DIMENSIONAL AIR-BLAST ATOMIZER
The two-dimensional air-blast atomizer is shown in Fig.
1. A liquid sheet emergesfrom a central slit with an aspect
ratio of 120:1. High-velocity air impinges on both sidesof the
sheetat the nozzle exit with a convergenceangle of 48”. The
liqnid sheet is “sandwiched” between two sheets.of high-
speedcotlowing air jets. Although most practical atomizers
have$oncentric nozzle configurations, the two-dimensional
researchatomizer has the advantage of allowing a direct ex-
amination of the air-liquid interface region. The nozzle is
equirjped with interchangeable jaws ta aliow independent
investigation of the variation of liquid and air sheet thick-
ness. The liquid gap size is adjusted by the four screws
mounted on the nozzle body. The air gap size variation re-
TABLE I. Nozzle dimensions and experimental conditions.
Dimensions of Nozzle
Air gap (mm) Total air flow area (mt)
1.45 0.887 x 10 - *
(gap length for nozzle: 30.6 mm)
Ranges of Experimental Conditions
Liquid flow rate:
Liquid exit velocity:
Air exit velocity:
Aii stagnation pressure:
2972 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991
quires the use of four different nozzle jaws having different
dimensions. The various combinations of air and liquid gap
sizes, with the experimental conditions are presented in Ta-
ble I. l?or this investigation, only one combination has been
studied, fRrr- 1.45 mm and tIiq”id = 0.254 mm. Throughout
the investigation, the nozzle was mounted horizontally on an
xy positioner with an accuracy of 1 mm in all directions, and
the liquid sheet was horizontal.
Applying isentropic flow assumptions, an analysis has
been made of the flow conditions in the converging air noz-
zle. Specific air mass flow rate can be expressedin terms of
air properties at the nozzle exit (John” 1, i.e.,
fwl.,‘A, = P4fL,/~,
in which A representsthe nozzIeexit area, and the nozzleexit
Mach number &fl is given for a perfect gas by
MB =:J~P~[[2/(y- l,]
!2!
where POdenotes stagnation pressureand the subscript “‘1”
refers to properties at the nozzle exit.
The discharge coefficient for the liquid nozzle is deter-
mined from the expression, Cd = Vi’V,,, where V is the
mean flow velocity obtained from the mean flow rate mea-
surement and r<,, is the potential velocity calculated from
the inlet water pressure. The expression, E:,, = JmF, is
used where P is the inlet pressureand p is the water density.
The calculated values for the discharge coefficients for the
liquid flow are in the range 0.728-0.9 11.
The discharge coefficients for the air nozzles are deter-
mined from the expression, C, -= U,/ V, isen,where Us is the
mean flow velocity obtained from the air volumetric flow
rate measurement, and URisenis the mean flow velocity de-
termined from the stagnation pressure (P, ) and the stagna-
tion temperature ( To ) by means of isentropic flow assump-
tions. The calculated values for the discharge coefficients are
in the range 0.861-Q.942.
111;FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE
The experimental technique used to perform the study
utilizes the attenuation of a collimated laser beam passing
through the liquid sheet in the transverse direction (i.e., the
Y direction in Fig. 111.The optical system is shown in Fig. 2.
The intensity of the laser beam is measured using a photo-
diode which produces a current groportional to the incident
radiation. This current is converted to a voltage in the range
Liquidgap(mm) Liquid flow arra cm”)
0.254 0.777 x 10 - 3
6.31-126.18 g/set
0.812-16.234 m/see
17.73-l 19.62 m&c
101.574-111.66i”kl?sr
(1.00-41.55 in. water]
A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2972

O-1.3V. A Nicolet digital oscilloscopeis usedto visualize the
signal. The waveform is then transferred to an IBM PC/XT
for data analysis and storage. A fast Fourier transform
(FFT) routine is used to transform the waveform from the
time domain to the frequency domain. The power spectra of
oscillations are then displayed in graphic form.
The beam was positioned 2 m m upstreamof the breakup
region, which varied from near nozzle exit to about 70 m m
downstream dependingon the flow conditions. This method
ensuresthe sampling of the most dominant frequency, that
which results in the breakup of the liquid sheet. Figure 3
showsthe meanbreakup length, the distancefrom the nozzle
exit to the disintegration point of the liquid sheet,which was
0
0 10
Liquid Velocity (m/s)
2973 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991
FIG. 2. Optical system.
Current to Voltage Converter
A-D Converter
determined from many photographs. Numerous tests were
performed by translation of the laser beam along the intact
length. The bandwidth of oscillation frequencies was r&
duced as the laser beam was translated in the downstream
direction along the intact length. Spurious modesof oscilla-
tion disappear as a dominant frequency emergeswhich is
sustainedby the liquid sheet. It should be mentioned that,
even if the breakup length recedesto the nozzle exit, this
method still proves to be reliable. Experimental uncertain-
ties were estimated to be & 10% for breakup length and
f 2”for spray angle.
Two types of waveform are possible depending on the
location of the laser beam with respect to the 2 coordinate.
FIG. 3. Mean breakup length.
20
A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2973
 Starting from the centerline, if the position of the laser light
is changed in the normal d&&ion to the jet direction, the
oscilloscope traces have the waveforms shown in Fig. 4.
When the distance of the laser light is more than the ampli-
tude of the wave, then the waveform on the oscilloscope
screen disappears. The wavefol’m corresponding to Z = !l
(.A being the amplitude oscillation at the measuring loca-
tion) ‘is obtained just before the waveform disappearson the
oscilloscopescreen,as the laser light is moved away from the
jet centerline. The value of A dependson the breakup length
for the particular test condition, since it is measured just
before breakup. However, the frequency measurements
show that frequency does not depend on either the axial, or
the transverse-measurementlocations; Z;,,,, does not affect
the frequency, but it affects the relative widths of crests and
troughs. When the laser beam is located at A, the time that
the beam is attenuated by the sinusoidal jet is-shorter than
FIG. 4. Typical waveforms [PO = 2 in: water (101.823 kPal;
qqui,, = 15.77 g/secJ; (a) Z,..,, = A (amplitude d oscillation): (b)
2qB, - 0; Cc) z,,,, = l/U.
2974 Phys. Fluids A. Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991
when it is located at a Iocation closer to the centerline [Figs.
4(a) and 4(b), respectively]. Figures 4(b) and 4(c) show
the waveforms when Z,,, = 0 and Z,;,, = l/U, respec-
tively. Particular attention has been paid to the Z location of
the laser beam because,as shown in Fig. 4, sampling at Z = 0
would lead to a vibrational frequency that is double the actu-
al frequency of the liquid sheet.
Rgure 5 shows the actual waveform sampled when the
breakup length recedes to the nozzle exit. Tn this case the
signal:is produced by ligament shedding. It is shown from
the physics of liquid sheet disintegration (see Ref. 13 for
details) that the breakup occurs when the amplitude of the
waves reachesa critical value and h-aif-wavesare torn off the
liquid sheet.These half-waves rapidly contract into unstable
ligaments under the action of surface tension. It is the liga-
ment shedding frequency that is measured in this case. Fig-
ure 6 shows the power spectral densities of the liquid sheet
vibration. Figures 6(aj-6(d) correspond to Figs. 4(a)-
4(c) and 5, respectively.
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Figures 7(aj and 71b) show two different views of the
liquid sheet when the nozzle is operated at the same experi-
mental conditions. The wave motion of the Iiquid sheet ap-
pears in these photographs immediateIy in the vicinity of the
nozzle exit, and the wave amplitude increasesalong the flow
direction. Both the upper and lower surfacesof the thin sheet
vibrate periodicalIy in the same phase:Although the figures
show oilly the sinusoidal wave, this does not imply the ab-
senceofa dilational wave on the liquid sheet. Components of
both types of waves could be imposed on the sheet at the
nozzle exit. The sinusoidal wave grows faster, however, and
masks the dilational wave.
The specific energy of air per unit volume of’liquid flow
rate is decreasedas the liquid flow rate is increased. At low
Iiquid Row rate, corresponding to the high specific energy of
air per unit volume of liquid, it is postulated that the energy
transf& by shear is sufficient to lead to sinusoidal mode os-
cillation.
At intermediate liquid flow rates, the sheet starts oscil-
lating in the combined mode. This condition is characterized
by amall wave growth. Figure 8 shows two different views of
FTG. 5. TypicaI waveform when breakup length recedes to the nozzle exit
Gs,, = 4; PO = 12in. water f104.312kPa!; mfiquld= 15.77 giseci.
A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2974
(a) ’ Frequency (Hz)
10
,013
(b) ’ Frequency (Hz)
FIG. 6. Power spectral density; (a) Z,,,, = .4; PO= 2 in. water ( 101,823kPa); mliquid= 15.77g/sec*f=
kPa); mliqurd= 15.77g&c-f= 1013HZ; CC) Z,,,,, I l/2 A; P,, = 2 in. water (101.823 kPa); mliquid= 15.77g/sec=$j’= 506 Hz; (d) Z,,,, = A; PO = 12
in. water (104.8312 kPa); mliquid= 15.77 g/sec3f= 1084 Hz.
the liquid sheetwhen the nozzle is operatedin the intermedi-
ate range. A high-frequency wave is superimposed on a
seemingly sinusoidal wave. There is evidence to show that
dilational waves may be initially establishedat the nozzle
exit. However, sinusoidal waves generated a little farther
downstream will grow faster and mask the dilational waves.
The rapid burst, or growth, farther downstream of the noz-
zle is an indication of this phenomenon.The sinusoidal mode
will dominate only when enough energy is transferred to the
sheet due to air shear.
At very high liquid flow rate, the specific energy of air
per unit volume of liquid is very low. Therefore, the sheet
will only oscillate in the dilational mode.
From the abovearguments,it can be concluded that the
sinusoidal mode of oscillation is the energy consuming
mode. This is in agreementwith previous theoriesi which
state that the growth rate of the sinusoidal mode is greater
than the growth rate of the dilational mode. Some of the
2975 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991
Frequency (Hz)
1084
Frequency (Hz)
508 Hz; (b) Z,,,,, = 0; PO = 2 in. water ( 101.823
kinetic energy of the air is transformed into potential energy
of oscillation.
Figure 9 shows the oscillation frequency of the liquid
sheet as a function of liquid velocity for different air pres-
sures.Figure 9 is divided into three distinct subregionssepa-
rated by the jumps in frequency. In regions A and B, the
frequency of the liquid sheetis highly stable.A sampling rate
of 20 000 Hz with a time duration of 0.1 set was sufficient to
ensureperfect repeatability. In thesetwo regions, the band-
width of oscillation frequenciesis very narrow, and a perfect
spike similar to that of Fig. 6 was recorded.The clarity of the
signal displayed in these regions is due to the fact that the
instrument is very sensitiveto wave amplitudes: the greater
the wave amplitude, the better the signal.
In region C, secondarymodesof oscillation appear,and
the transition from region B to region C is accompaniedby a
widening of the bandwidth of oscillations and a considerable
increase in the measured frequencies.The repeatability in
A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2975
FIG. 7. Characteristic development of liquid sheet (sinusoidal mode of os- FIG. 8, Characteristic development of a liquid sheet (combined mode of
cillation); PO = 2.75 in. water (102.015 kPa1; ftiIiqUla= 22.67 g/see; (a) oscillation); PO = 2.75 in. water (102.015 kPa); mliquld$230.28 gPsec*(a)
side view: (bl top view, side view; (b) top view.

2976 Phys. Rtcids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991 A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2970
 Air Pressure
5000

30 -

-j;25 -
D
%S
g!?j20-
a2
b15 -

10 -

-I
0 10 20
Liquid Exit Velocity (m/s)
0 ,250
Frequency (Hz) 10000
(a)

FIG. 9. Vibration frequencyof the liquid sheetas a function of liqtiid veloc-

12 , I
ity for six different air pressures.(P, = 2.75, 5.5625,9, 12, 27.7,41.55 in.
water).

region C of F ig. 9 is poor, and a maximum discrepancyof

about 1 5 % betweeneachrun was recorded.The data points
of region C correspondto the arithmetic m e a n of five differ-
ent runs, all of which havea samplingrate of 20 000 Hz and a
tim e duration of 0.1 sec.Region C is characterizedby small
wave growth and, thus, small wave a m p litude at the measur-
ing location. The signal in this region deterioratesconsider-
ably since,at the measuringlocation, the wave a m p litude is
the same order of m a g n itude as the laser b e a m diameter
(0.68 mm).
F igure 10 showsthe power spectral densitiesof the liq:
uid sheet vibrations for an air pressure of 9 in. water
(103.565kPa) and two different water flow rates. F igures
10(a) and 10(b) correspondto data points sampledin re-
gions B and C, respectively.F igure 10(b) shows that while
the primary m o d e which correspondsto region B [see F ig.
10(a) for detail] still exists, a secondarymore powerful
m o d e with a higher frequencyis present.
Photographic visualization of the liquid sheet shows
that in regionsA and B, both the upper and lower surfacesof
the thin sheetvibrate periodically in the samephase(seeF ig.
7 for details). In the transition betweenregions B and C,
secondarymodes of oscillation appear,and a profusion of
higher harmonics is superimposedon the liquid sheet.F ig-
ure 8 showstwo different views of the liquid sheetwhen the
nozzle is operatedin the transition region. In regionsA and
B, the sinusoidal m o d e of oscillation d o m inatesthe liquid
sheetvibrations. In the transition betweenregionsB and C,
both types of wave exist, and in region C, the liquid sheet
oscillations are predominantly of the dilational type.
F igure 9 showsthat for eachair pressure,the frequency
of oscillations of the liquid sheetundergoessuddenbut con-
tinuous jumps as the liquid flow rate is increased.It is also
shown that thesejump points are displacedto the right asthe
air pressureor the air velocity is increased.In general,there
is a direct correlation betweenthe air stagnationpressure(or
air velocity) and the vibrational frequencyof the liquid sheet
exceptnear the frequencyjump betweenregionsB and C for
103.565and 104.312kPa air pressures:the higher the air
velocity, the higher the vibration frequency.
1246 18.36
Frequency (Hz)
(b) ’
FIG. 10. Power spectral density (a) in region B of Fig. 8: Z,,,,, = A; PO= 9
in. water (101.565kPa); m, = 44.16g/secz$f= 1250Hz; (b) in region C
of Fig. 8: Z,,,,, = A; PO -9 in. water (103.565 kPa); m, = 56.78
g/sec*f= 1836Hz.
It is also shown in F ig. 9 that, for low air pressures[i.e.,
Pai, = 2.75, 5.5625, 9, 12 in. water (102.015, 102.704,
103.565,104.312kPa) 1, the frequencyof oscillation of the
liquid sheet in regions A and B undergoescyclic increases
and decreases as the liquid velocity is increased.However, as
the air pressureis increasedbeyond 12 in. water (104.312
kPa), the frequency curve exhibits a monotonousincrease
with increasesin liquid velocity.
In order to understandthe jump phenomenonrecorded,
a separatetest was conductedto measurethe spray angle.
The criterion for measurementof the spray angle was to
follow the crestsof the m a jor disturbances.The surrounding
droplet m ist was not generallyconsidered.It shouldbe men-
tioned, however, that when the breakup length recededto
the nozzleexit, the droplet cloud was globally consideredfor
spray anglemeasurement.
F igure: 11 shows the spray angle measurementsas a
function of liquid velocity for three different air pressures.It
is shown that, for each air pressure,the spray angle under-
goesan increasefollowed by a decreaseasthe liquid flow rate
or the liquid velocity is increased.It is also shown that the
spray anglecurvesand the curves’maxima are displacedto
the right as the air pressureis increased.Thesemaxima di-
m inish with increasesin air pressure.

2077 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1001 A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2977
 Air Pressure
I3 102.704 kPa
* 103.565 kPa
I Ill.667 kPa

FIG. 1 I. Flow angIe versus Iiquid ve-

locity for three different air pressures
i.P, =: 5.5625,!?,41.55 in. water).

I I
Id 20

Liquid Exit Velocity (m/s)

Careful examination of Figs. 9 and 11 showsthat for low
air pressuressuch as P,,, = 5.5625 in. and 9 in. water
(102.704 kPa and 103.565 kPa), the local maxima of the
frequencycurves in region B of Fig. 9 closely correspond to
the maxima of the spray angle curve. The reason for this
correspondencewill be explainedin subsequentparagraphs.
There may be a mechanicalelementin the systemwhich has
a resonant frequency near the maximum frequency dis-
played in this region. Near resonance, the spray angle
reachesits absolutemaximum, and the frequeneyof the liq-
uid sheetreaches a local maximum.
In order to demonstrate the phenomenonof resonant
frequency and its influence on maximizing the wave ampli-
tude, the spray angle was plotted as a function of the vibra-
tional frequency of the liquid sheet for the air pressures
102.704,103.565,and 111.667kPa, respectively.The results
.’
are presentedin Fig. 12. It is shown in this figure that for low
air pressures;the liquid sheetoscillation is similar to that of a
nonlinear, damped, hard spring system.
In nonlinear, nondamped hard spring systems, it is
found that the amplitude A undergoesa sudden discontin-
uous jump near resonance.The jump phenomenoncan be
describedas follows. For the hardening spring system with
increasingfrequency of excitation, the amplitude gradually
increasesuntil a point “a” in Fig. 13(a) is reached. It then
jumps to a smaller value indicated by point b and diminishes
along the curve to its right. In decreasingthe frequencyfrom
point c, the amplitude continues to increasebeyond point b
to point d and suddenlyjumps to a higher value at point e.
The shadedarea in the amplitude frequency plot is unstable.
The extent of instability dependson a number of factors such
as the amount of damping presentand the rate of changeof

120 , Air Pressure

ii 102.704 kPa
100
* 103.565 kPa
= 111.66TkPa

,-E so
s FIG. 12. Flow angle versusvibrational
43
frequency of the liquid sheet for three
5 .SO different air pressures. (P, = 5.5625,
5 9C41.25in. water).

2t; 40

v1

20

0
a iouo 2000 3000 4000

Vibrational Frequency (Hz)

2978 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1001 A. ManSOuf and N. Chigier 2978
 a

Air Stagnation Pressure (kPa)

FIG. 14. Resonant frequency versus air stagnation pressure.

It can be seenin Figs. 9, 11, and 12 that the spray angle

WMln
(b)
FIG. 13. Amplitude-frequency plot for a hardening spring system. (a) The
jump phenomenon for the hardening spring (no damping). (b) The jump
phenomenon for the hardening spring (with damping).
reachesa maximum near the resonantfrequency.For low air
pressures,the local frequency maxima of region I3 in Fig. 8
correspond to the resonant frequency. For high air pres-
sures,the resonantfrequency can be inferred from Fig. 11. It
is interesting to note that the resonant frequency increases
with air pressureor air velocity.
Figure 14 shows the influence of the air pressureon the
resonant frequency and Fig. 15 shows the same data as a
function of air velocity. It is seenin Fig. 15 that the resonant
frequency increaseslinearly with air velocity. For each air
flow, there is a specific vibrational frequency for the nozzle.
The frequency of these vibrations is proportional to the air
velocity. The effect of introducing air in the nozzle is similar
to the effect of forced vibrations on the nozzle jaws.

V. CONCLUSIONS
In the two-dimensional variable geometry air-blast
the exciting frequency (Thomson” >. atomizer, it has been shown that for each air pressure,the
In the undamped case,the amplitude frequency curves frequency of oscillation of the liquid sheetundergoessudden
approach the backbonecurve (shown dotted) asymptotical- but continuous jumps as the liquid flow rate or the liquid
ly. This is also the casefor the linear systemwhere the back- velocity is increased. It was also shown that these jump
bone curve is the vertical line at w/w, = 1. With a small points are displacedto the right as the air pressureor the air
amount of damping, the behavior of the systemcannot differ
appreciably from that of the undamped system. The upper
curve, instead of approaching the backbone curve asymp-
totically, will cross over in a continuous curve as shown in
Fig. 13(b). The jump phenomenon is also present, but
damping generally tends to reduce the size of the unstable
xi
region (Thomson” ). To summarize, it is seenthat for low z
air pressures,the liquid sheetoscillation is similar to that of a 6 2000
damped, nonlinear hard spring system. E
s
As the air pressureis increased,Pai, = 41.55 in. water p!
LL
( 111.667kPa), Fig. 12 shows that the jump phenomenonis E 1000
no longer present, and the angle versus frequency curve ap- 0
proachesthat of a linear, dampedspring system.This change 2
in character is due to the fact that, at high air flow rates, the 0
oscillation frequenciesof the liquid sheet show a monoton- 0 20 40 60 SO 100 120

ous increasewith increasein liquid flow rate. The cyclic in- Velocity (m/s)
creasesand decreases,characteristic of low liquid flow rates,
are no longer present. FIG. 15. Resonant frequency versus air velocity.

2979 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1 QQ1 A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2979
velocity is increased.The frequency versus Iiquid flow veloo
ity plot for different air pressures is divided into three dis-
tinct subregions. It is seenthat in regions A and B the sinu-
soidal mode of oscillation dominates the liquid sheet
vibrations. In the transition between regions B and C, both
the s1nousoidaIand the dilational modes of oscillation are
detectedby the frequency measuring device. In region C, the
liquid sheet oscillations are mainly of the dilational type.
In regions A and B, there is a direct correlation between
the air stagnation pressure (or air velocity) and the vibra-
tion frequency ofthe liquid sheet: t.hehigher the air velocity,
the higher the vibration frequency; As was shown in Fig. 9,
in region C, this conclusion is not applicable. It was also
shown that, for each air pressure, the spray angle undergoes
an increasefollowed by a decreaseas the liquid flow rate or
the liquid velocity is increased. The spray angle,curves and
the curves’maxima are displaced to the right as the air pres-
sure is increased. These maxima diminish with increasesin
air pressure.
It was also shown thatthe effect of introducing air in the
nozzle is similar to the effect of forced vibrations on the noz-
zle&&s. Thus, for each air flow rate, there is a specific vibra-
tion frequency for the nozzle. The frequency of these vibra-
tions is proportiona to the air velocity. As the liquid sheet
natural frequency approaches that of the nozzle, resonance
is established.At resonance,the spray angle reachesits abso:
lute maximum, and the frequency of the liquid sheet reaches
a localmaximum. Finally, it was shown that the liquid sheet
osciilations are dynamicahy similar to that of hard spring
systems.
2980 Phys. Fluids A, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1991
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support
from NASA Marshall SpaceCenter, Grant No. NAG &-126,
and Parker Hannifln Corporation, which provided the
atomizer.
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A. Mansour and N. Chigier 2980