Spray Characterization of Gas-Centered Swirl Coaxial Injectors Using an Optical Probe

In order to investigate spray characteristics of gas-centered swirl coaxial injectors, a phase detection optical probe is employed to obtain the spatial evolution of the drop size and velocity. From the study on the optical probe responses under various impact angles, it is demonstrated that the drop size and velocity can be measured with an uncertainty less than 15% when the probe axis remains within about ${\pm}15^{\circ}$ of the drop velocity direction. This typical uncertainty is in good agreement with a previous study. It is also shown that the drop sizes measured by the optical probe are in accord with those evaluated by image processing techniques. Finally, the experiments with the optical probe are performed in dense sprays, as it were, in the near field of gas-centered swirl coaxial injectors. Some experimental results are presented and discussed to be of help to understanding of spray characteristics of the injectors.