Modeling of Atomization Under Flash Boiling Conditions

This paper presents an atomization model for sprays under flash boiling conditions. The atomization is represented by the secondary breakup of a bubble/droplet system, and the breakup is considered as the results of two competing mechanisms, aerodynamic force and bubble growth. The model was applied to predict the atomization of a hollow-cone spray from pintle injector under flash boiling conditions. In the regimes this study considered, sprays are atomized by bubble growth, which produces smaller SMD#s than aerodynamic forces alone. With decreasing ambient pressures, the spray thickness, fuel vaporization rate and vapor radial penetration increases, and the drop size decreases. With increasing the fuel and ambient temperatures to some extent, the effect of flash boiling and air entrainment completely change the spray pattern.