Effects of co-current airflow on water atomization in a curved diffuser

Abstract

To explore the effect of airflow on water atomization mechanism in mine exhaust heat recovery system, an experimental study of the dispersed phase fraction for droplets is conducted by Malvern laser particle size analyzer. This paper focuses on the influence of gas disturbance on water atomization in a curved diffuser in a ventilation system. With the theory of liquid breakup, it shows how liquid sheet occurs in primary breakup under different operating conditions. In case that the spray flows in the same direction as the airflow, the dominant factor affecting the breakup length of liquid film near the atomizing nozzle is the injection pressure. At a long distance from the nozzle, the droplet goes through vibrational shape oscillation and eventually further breakup in the complete atomization area. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the dispersed phase fraction for droplets reaches maximum when the airflow is 3.2 m 3 /s; (2) droplets achieve the optimal atomization effect of the spray; (3) the heat and moisture should be fully exchanged.