Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component
Atomization of liquid media is a key aim in various technological disciplines, and solutions that improve spray performance, while decreasing energy consumption, are in great demand. That concept is very important in the development of liquid fuel spray atomizers in high-efficiency microturbines and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/11/6/584 |
| _version_ | 1797417026683142144 |
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| author | Inna Levitsky Dorith Tavor |
| author_facet | Inna Levitsky Dorith Tavor |
| author_sort | Inna Levitsky |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Atomization of liquid media is a key aim in various technological disciplines, and solutions that improve spray performance, while decreasing energy consumption, are in great demand. That concept is very important in the development of liquid fuel spray atomizers in high-efficiency microturbines and other generator systems with low inlet pressure and a wide range of power supply. Here we present a study of the liquid atomization characteristics for a new mechanical atomizer that has optimal geometric parameters and a preliminary swirl stage. In our air-assisted atomizer, air is introduced through a swirl chamber positioned at the exit of the mechanical atomizer. The optimized mechanical atomizer alone can achieve <i>D<sub>32</sub></i> drop diameters in the range of 80 to 40 µm at water supply pressures of 2 to 5 bar, respectively. The addition of an air swirl chamber substantially decreases drop sizes. At an air–liquid ratio (ALR) equal to 1, water pressures of 2.5 to 3 bar and air supply pressures 0.35 to 1 bar, <i>D</i><sub>32</sub> drops with diameters of 20–30 µm were obtained. In an air-assisted atomizer the parameters of the mechanical atomizer have a much stronger influence on drop diameters than do characteristics of the air-swirl chamber. Using a mechanical atomizer with optimal geometrical dimensions allows limiting the liquid supply pressure to 5 bar; but when an air-assisted component is introduced we can recommend an ALR ≈ 1 and an air supply pressure of up to 1 bar. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:12:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a68a626424654b8485c0ab7b414c6892 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:12:54Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-a68a626424654b8485c0ab7b414c68922023-12-03T11:57:02ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2020-06-0111658410.3390/mi11060584Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted ComponentInna Levitsky0Dorith Tavor1Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, PO Box 950, Beer-Sheva 84100, IsraelDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, PO Box 950, Beer-Sheva 84100, IsraelAtomization of liquid media is a key aim in various technological disciplines, and solutions that improve spray performance, while decreasing energy consumption, are in great demand. That concept is very important in the development of liquid fuel spray atomizers in high-efficiency microturbines and other generator systems with low inlet pressure and a wide range of power supply. Here we present a study of the liquid atomization characteristics for a new mechanical atomizer that has optimal geometric parameters and a preliminary swirl stage. In our air-assisted atomizer, air is introduced through a swirl chamber positioned at the exit of the mechanical atomizer. The optimized mechanical atomizer alone can achieve <i>D<sub>32</sub></i> drop diameters in the range of 80 to 40 µm at water supply pressures of 2 to 5 bar, respectively. The addition of an air swirl chamber substantially decreases drop sizes. At an air–liquid ratio (ALR) equal to 1, water pressures of 2.5 to 3 bar and air supply pressures 0.35 to 1 bar, <i>D</i><sub>32</sub> drops with diameters of 20–30 µm were obtained. In an air-assisted atomizer the parameters of the mechanical atomizer have a much stronger influence on drop diameters than do characteristics of the air-swirl chamber. Using a mechanical atomizer with optimal geometrical dimensions allows limiting the liquid supply pressure to 5 bar; but when an air-assisted component is introduced we can recommend an ALR ≈ 1 and an air supply pressure of up to 1 bar.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/11/6/584mechanical atomizerair-assisted atomizerswirl chamberdrop diametersair/liquid mass flow ratio |
| spellingShingle | Inna Levitsky Dorith Tavor Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component Micromachines mechanical atomizer air-assisted atomizer swirl chamber drop diameters air/liquid mass flow ratio |
| title | Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component |
| title_full | Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component |
| title_fullStr | Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component |
| title_short | Improved Atomization via a Mechanical Atomizer with Optimal Geometric Parameters and an Air-Assisted Component |
| title_sort | improved atomization via a mechanical atomizer with optimal geometric parameters and an air assisted component |
| topic | mechanical atomizer air-assisted atomizer swirl chamber drop diameters air/liquid mass flow ratio |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/11/6/584 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT innalevitsky improvedatomizationviaamechanicalatomizerwithoptimalgeometricparametersandanairassistedcomponent AT dorithtavor improvedatomizationviaamechanicalatomizerwithoptimalgeometricparametersandanairassistedcomponent |