Ultrasonic atomization: effect of liquid phase properties

Experiments have been conducted to understand the mechanism by which the ultrasonic vibration at the gas liquid interface causes the atomization of liquid. For this purpose, aqueous solutions having different viscosities and liquids showing Newtonian (aqueous solution of glycerin) and non-Newtonian behavior (aqueous solution of sodium salt of carboxy methyl cellulose) were employed. It has been found that the average droplet size produced by the pseudo-plastic liquid is less than that produced by the viscous Newtonian liquid having viscosity equal to zero-shear rate viscosity of the shear thinning liquid. The droplet size was found to increase initially with an increase in the viscosity up to a certain threshold viscosity after which the droplet size was found to decrease again. Also droplet size distribution is found to be more compact (uniform sizes) with an increasing viscosity of the atomizing liquid. The presence of the cavitation and its effect on the atomization has been semi quantitatively confirmed using energy balance and by the measurement of the droplet ejection velocities and validated on the basis of the decomposition of the aqueous KI solution. A correlation has been proposed for the prediction of droplet size for aqueous Newtonian fluids and fluids showing non-Newtonian behavior based on the dimensionless numbers incorporating the operating parameters of the ultrasonic atomizer and the liquid phase physico-chemical properties.     

Correlations to predict droplet size in ultrasonic atomisation.

In conventional two fluid nozzles, the high velocity air imparts its energy to the liquid and disrupts the liquid sheet into droplets. If the energy for liquid sheet fragmentation can be supplied by the use of ultrasonic energy, finer droplets with high sphericity and uniform size distribution can be achieved. The other advantage of ultrasound induced atomisation process is the lower momentum associated with ejected droplets compared to the momentum carried by the droplets formed using conventional nozzles. This has advantage in coating and granulation processes. An ultrasonic probe sonicator was designed with a facility for liquid feed arrangement and was used to atomise the liquid into droplets. An ingenious method of droplet measurement was attempted by capturing the droplets on a filter paper (size variation with regard to wicking was uniform in all cases) and these are subjected to image analysis to obtain the droplet sizes. This procedure was evaluated by high-speed photography of droplets ejected at one particular experimental condition and these were image analysed. The correlations proposed in the literature to predict droplet sizes using ultrasound do not take into account all the relevant parameters. In this work, a truly universal correlation is proposed which accounts for the effects of physico-chemical properties of the liquid (flow rate, viscosity, density and surface tension), and ultrasonic properties like amplitude, frequency and the area of vibrating surface. The significant contribution of this work is to define dimensionless numbers incorporating ultrasonic parameters, taking cue from the conventional numbers that define the significance of different forces involved in droplet formation. The universal correlations proposed are robust and can be used for designing ultrasonic atomisers for different applications. Among the correlations proposed here, those ones that are based on the dimensionless numbers and Davies approach predict droplet sizes within acceptable limits of deviation. Also, an empirical correlation from experimental data has been proposed in this work.     

Design and Performance of an Ultrasonic Atomization System for experimental combustion applications

Although common atomizing systems efficiently produce sprays, a range of droplet sizes is generally obtained and the distribution is often difficult to control in terms of liquid or gaseous flow rates. It is shown that an alternative system, based on ultrasonic surface instabilities, is well suited for experimental applications where all parameters have to be controlled. Technological aspects of ultrasonic atomization are described and the droplet spray produced by an ultrasonic atomizer is characterized experimentally.     

Analysis of concentration characteristics in ultrasonic atomization by droplet diameter distribution

The droplet diameter distribution and concentration characteristics in ultrasonic atomization were experimentally studied. The samples were aqueous solutions of methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol. The diameter distribution of atomized droplets showed the normal distribution, and the median diameter and standard deviation were expressed by means of the ultrasonic condition and the liquid properties. The concentration characteristic in ultrasonic atomization was analyzed by using the model of shell and core to the atomized droplet, where the former and latter consist of solute and solution, respectively. The value, which was surface solute amount in droplet multiplied by the molecular volume, increased with increasing solute molar fraction in bulk liquid and was independent of alcohol kinds. The rate of accompanying liquid and the solute molar fraction in accompanied liquid were estimated from the diameter distribution and the surface solute amount in droplet.     

燃油粒度对两相PDE爆震波速的影响

两相爆震燃烧的研究近来取得了较大的进步,但是仍有很多问题需要解决,诸如燃油的喷射、雾化和蒸发,燃油和氧化剂的混合,两相可爆混合物的短距离起爆等等．本文利用激光喷雾粒度分析仪分别就直射喷嘴与气动喷嘴研究了汽油的雾化情况,随着汽油流量的增加,两种喷嘴的雾化变化趋势相反．结合汽油、空气PDE模型机多循环爆震试验,发现汽油的粒度对模型机的爆震波速有较大的影响,粒度减小,波速增大,同时波速具有循环效应．     

A Numerical Calibration Approach to Obtain Cutting Fluid Droplet Sizes in a Turning Process via an Imaging System

Airborne inhalable particulate in the workplace can represent a significant health hazard, and one of the primary sources of particles is mist produced through the application of cutting fluids in machining operations. The atomization process is one of the principal mechanisms associated with cutting fluid mist formation and generates droplets from fifty to a few thousand micrometers in size. These particles subsequently undergo vaporization and settling effects resulting in an aerosol to which workers may be exposed. While a variety of equipment is available to characterize the fine particulate in the breathing zone, standard equipment to measure the size of the atomized droplets is not available. In this paper, an imaging system is employed to characterize the large droplets produced by atomization in turning. One of the drawbacks of such a system is the time‐consuming experimental calibration procedure that is required to improve the accuracy of the droplet size measurements and extend the depth of field of the imaging system. With this in mind, an approach is introduced to predict droplet diameter based on measurement data without physical system calibration. The relationship between the actual diameter and the measured diameter is established based on an imaging system simulation model that includes a three dimensional point spread function and an image formation relationship grounded in the principles of geometric optics. These two components are combined using convolution integral theory to derive an image intensity profile. The introduction of halo width into the simulation greatly extends the image depth of field, which is a critical factor in capturing more droplets in one image and also minimizing particle size distribution bias towards larger droplets. The model predicts droplet diameter as a function of measured diameter and halo width. Model behavior of predicted diameters from the simulation compares well with those from a physical calibration of the system. The numerical calibration model is then used in the study of cutting fluid atomization in a turning process, and the measured droplet size distribution compares favorably with droplet sizes predicted by a mechanistic atomization model.     

菲涅尔透镜聚焦声泳打印装置设计及实验研究*

针对现有的喷墨打印技术需根据喷印材料的特性定制而较难直接用于不同材料打印的问题,设计了一种基于菲涅尔透镜聚焦的声泳打印装置,该装置由超声发生器、超声换能器、菲涅尔透镜以及供液系统组成。首先,利用COMSOL软件模拟液滴在声辐射力作用下的滴落过程,并分析了超声发生器功率、喷嘴到基底距离、菲涅尔透镜厚度等参数对声场压力分布的影响,以及声场压力、喷嘴直径及材料粘度对液滴喷射过程的影响。其次,采用构建的声泳打印装置进行喷射成滴实验,通过调整超声发生器输出功率实现了不同粘度的聚乙二醇溶液的喷射以及UV胶的喷射。实验结果表明：该微滴喷射系统能产生一致性较好的微滴,喷印出的微透镜尺寸波动范围在2%以内,证明了该装置的稳定性以及实现了不同材料微滴喷射的可行性。     

Optimization of acoustic parameters for ultrasonic separation of emulsions with different physical properties

Ultrasound is an emerging and promising method for demulsification, which is highly affected by acoustic parameters and emulsion properties. Herein, a series of microscopic and dehydration experiments are carried out to investigate the parameter optimization of ultrasonic separation. The results show that the optimal acoustic parameters highly depend on the emulsion properties. For low frequency ultrasonic standing waves (USWs), mechanical vibrations not only facilitate droplet collision and coalescence, but also disperse the surfactant absorbed on the interface to decrease the interfacial strength. Therefore, low frequency ultrasound is suitable for separating emulsions with high viscosity and high interfacial strength. Increasing the energy density to produce moderate cavitation can increase demulsification efficiency. However, excessive cavitation results in secondary emulsification. In high frequency USWs, the droplets migrate directionally and form bandings, thereby promoting droplet coalescence. Therefore, high frequency ultrasound is favorable for separating emulsions with low dispersed phase content and small droplet size. Increasing the energy density can accelerate the aggregation of droplets, however, excessive energy density causes acoustic streaming that disturbs the aggregated droplets, resulting in reduced demulsification efficiency. This work presents rules for acoustic parameter optimization, further advancing industrial applications of ultrasonic separation.     

Some Recent Developments in Twin-Fluid Atomization

The results of recent researches on twin-fluid atomization are briefly reviewed, with particular emphasis on the effects of air and liquid properties on mean drop size. It is stressed that no single equation for the mean drop sizes produced in twin-fluid atomization can satisfactorily correlate all the experimental data from any given atomizer. This is because for all types of atomizers the mechanism of liquid breakup changes from one basic mode to another with changes in atomizer operating conditions and/or liquid properties. These different modes of atomization exhibit different dependencies on atomizer dimensions and various physical properties such as liquid viscosity and air density. Equations for estimating the mean drop sizes produced in the various modes of twin-fluid atomization are presented and discussed.     

IMPINGING JET ATOMIZATION AT ELEVATED AND SUPERCRITICAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE CONDITIONS

A study of a spray formed by a pair of liquid nitrogen jets impinging on one another at elevated up to above-critical ambient temperature and pressure conditions has been conducted using double-pulse, two-reference-beam holography and high-speed photography. Qualitative observations as well as quantitative measurements on droplet size distribution and its dependence on pressure and temperature were obtained. Droplet size measurements showed that, at subcritical conditions, the increase of the ambient pressure initially makes the atomization quality deteriorate. Further increase in pressure (above 50% of the critical pressure) improves the atomization quality. The spray pattern changed drastically as the ambient pressure approached and exceeded the critical pressure in an environment already at supercritrical temperature. At supercritical ambient conditions, the usual mechanisms of droplet formation are no longer in place. The liquid nitrogen spray undergoes a mixing process with the nitrogen environment.     

Numerical simulation of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) atomization

The objective of the present work was to use a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code to simulate the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) atomization process. Although the physics of the atomization and cone formation has been discussed in numerous publications, a comprehensive theory has not been presented. Some of the previous approaches are discussed below. A CFD model can give a unique capability to describe and simulate the liquid cone formation and atomization. The approach in this work was to simultaneously solve the coupled (EHD) and electrostatic equations. The heat conduction equation, solved by the CFD solver, has been modified to solve the electrostatic field equations. From the electrostatic field, the electric body forces have been determined and included in the Navier–Stokes equations. The model does not include any current. The key liquid property for the coupling is the permittivity. The predicted velocity fields for heptane and ethanol and the operating window of heptane were found to be consistent with published results. The model does not include a droplet break-up model. If the jet is cylindrical, the droplet size can be calculated from the jet diameter. The droplet size of ethanol was predicted and compared well with experiments.     

Droplet ejection from an interface between two immiscible liquids under pulsed ultrasound

The emphasis of this study is on the ejection of single droplets of a certain size under pulsed ultrasound. Droplet ejection from an interface of two immiscible liquids in this mode, which differs from the well-known ultrasonic fountain (where liquid droplets arise spontaneously), has been experimentally implemented and investigated. The spatial and time evolution of the interface deformation and violation of interface integrity, caused by pulsed acoustic radiation pressure, has been recorded with a high-speed video camera. It is shown that, depending on the ultrasound intensity, three characteristic modes of interface response can be distinguished. In the first (low-intensity)mode, the interface undergoes forced oscillations, without violation of its integrity. In the second (intermediate-intensity) mode, which is in the focus of our study, the interface integrity is violated due to the ejection of a single droplet of a certain size; the latter continuously changes its shape when moving in the second liquid. In the third (high-intensity) mode, the predictable ejection of droplets of a predictable size turns into stochastic ejection of multiple droplets with unpredictable sizes. The dependence of the sizes of single droplets on the parameters of focused ultrasound beam have been measured in the second (stable) mode of ultrasound ejection. Based on these measurements, the range of ultrasound parameters providing controlled generation of single droplets of a specified size is estimated. Differences in the dynamics of interface motion and specific features of droplet generation for the liquid/liquid interface in comparison with the liquid/gas interface are indicated. Possible applications of the observed effects are discussed.     

Close-coupled nozzle atomization integral simulation and powder preparation using vacuum induction gas atomization technology

We simulate the gas-atomization process of a close-coupled annular nozzle for vacuum induction gas atomization at a three-dimensional scale.Moreover,the relationship between the simulated droplet type and experimentally metallic powder is established by comparing the morphology of droplets with powders.Herein,the primary atomization process is described by the volume-of-fluid(VOF)approach,whereas the prediction of powder diameter after secondary atomization is realized by the VOF-Lagrangian method.In addition,to completely reflect the breaking and deformation process of the metallic flow,we employ the VOF model to simulate the secondary atomization process of a single ellipsoidal droplet.The results show that the primary atomization process includes the formation of surface liquid film,appearance of serrated ligaments,and shredding of ligaments.Further,gas recirculation zone plays an important role in formation of the umbrella-shaped liquid film.The secondary atomization process is divided into droplet convergence and dispersion stages,and the predicted powder diameter is basically consistent with the experiment.In general,the four main powder shapes are formed by the interaction of five different typical droplets.     

Effect of ultrasonic frequency on size distributions of nanosized mist generated by ultrasonic atomization

Ultrasonic atomization is used to produce fine liquid mists with diameter ranges below 100 nm. We investigated the effect of the frequency on the size distribution of ultrasonic mist. A bimodal distribution was obtained for the mist generated by ultrasonic atomization with a wide-range particle spectrometer. The peak diameter decreased with increasing frequency, and the number concentration of the mist increased in the smaller range. We determined the relation between the size distribution of the mist and the ultrasonic frequency, and we proposed a generation mechanism for the ultrasonic nanosized mist based on the amount of water vapor around the liquid column. Increasing the power intensity and density by changing the surface diameter of the ultrasonic oscillator affected the number concentration and size distribution of the nanosized mist. Using this technique, the diameter of the mist can be controlled by changing the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.     

Absorption and velocity dispersion due to crystallization and melting of emulsion droplets

The influence of droplet crystallization and melting on the ultrasonic properties of oil-in-water emulsions has been investigated. The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation were measured in a series of 3 wt% n-hexadecane-in-water emulsions as a function of frequency (0.3–4 MHz), droplet diameter (0.4 and 1 μm) and temperature (0–25°C). The emulsified n-hexadecane crystallized at about 5°C due to supercooling effects and melted at about 18°C. As solid and liquid n-hexadecane have significantly different ultrasonic properties, an appreciable change in the velocity and attenuation is observed during the phase transition. This behaviour is modified significantly in systems where the emulsion droplets are partially crystalline because the temperature fluctuations associated with the ultrasonic wave can perturb the phase equilibria solid liquid causing excess attenuation and velocity dispersion. The magnitude of this effect depends on the ultrasonic frequency and the average droplet size.     

不同超声作用方式对葛根有效部位提取率的影响

研究不同的超声作用方式对葛根总黄酮的提取率的影响.采用单频,双频（包括槽式双频以及槽式＋探头式双频）,及三频等不同的处理方法,对超声作用参数,如时间,声强及处理量的多少进行研究,采用两个超声特性参数即能量效率和空化产量来对比不同容积、频率的超声作用效果.目前的研究表明：多频超声耦合时,可以获得较高的能量效率和空化产量.     

Electrical and transient atomization characteristics of a pulsed charge injection atomizer using electrically insulating liquids

Charge injection atomizers are energy efficient devices that can be used in order to promote the atomization of dielectric liquids, and a potential application of such devices is fine spray delivery in small internal combustion engines. The operation of a pulsed charge injection atomization system operating at practical engine frequencies under a high voltage pulse train has not been well recorded in the literature. This initial investigation defines the electrical and transient global atomization performance of a charge injection atomizer operating under a steady flow regime, but with a typical high voltage pulse train. Results show that voltage-current characteristics follow similar trends to that of a steady flow, steady voltage system, and observation of the data also reveals that output current waveforms depend on the input pulse train frequency. No degradation in charging efficiency was observed at higher frequencies, which suggests that a charge injection atomizer can operate efficiently at practical engine speeds. Photographs also confirmed the high voltage pulse train injects charge that produces sections of primary atomization on the continuous liquid jet.     

Application of the Maximum Entropy Formalism on Sprays Produced by Ultrasonic Atomizers

A recent application of the Maximum Entropy Formalism on liquid atomization problems led to the development of a mathematical volume‐based drop‐size distribution. This function, which depends on three parameters, is a reduction of the four‐parameter generalized Gamma function. The aim of the present work is to investigate the relevance of the three parameters in the characterization of liquid atomization processes. To achieve this, a variety of experimental drop‐size distributions of ultrasonic sprays were analyzed with the mathematical function. Firstly, it is found that the mathematical drop‐size distribution is very suitable to represent the volume‐based drop‐size distribution of ultrasonic sprays. Furthermore, it is seen that when considering the three parameters introduced by the function, one of them is constant for all the situations investigated, and the other two are linked to a non‐dimensional group that includes the main parameters controlling the drop production. These results are very important, since they suggest a possible development of physical models of primary atomization based on the M.E.F., which would allow for the prediction of the spray drop‐size distribution. Thusfar, such a model does not exist.     

Experimental Analysis of the Response of a Laser/Phase Doppler Anemometer System to a Partially Atomized Spray

This work describes a systematic approach adopted to establish Laser and Phase Doppler Anemometry, LDA/PDA, experimental techniques that would allow velocity and dropsize measurements to be made over wide velocity and size ranges with confidence in partially atomized sprays. The analysis considers the sprays generated by different gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems injecting into air under atmospheric conditions. The upper limit to the dropsize range in the fuel sprays was confirmed using (a) an Oxford Lasers' VisiSizer and (b) droplets of a known size produced by a mono‐dispersed droplet generator. GDI fuel sprays are highly transient, optically dense and provide a high degree of penetration and atomization. The measurement problem is therefore one of the detection of small, high speed droplets inside a dense cloud of surrounding droplets. Furthermore, under the transients found at the start and end of injection and during high fuel loads, fuel elements in the form of sheets, ligaments and filaments are also injected. These liquid fuel elements subsequently break‐up, downstream from the nozzle, to form droplets of a much larger size class but with a much lower number density [1]. The co‐existence of these liquid fuel elements and the widely different size classes in the spray are considered to pose a problem for dropsize measurements by the PDA technique. In particular: the wide dynamic range of light intensities scattered by the fuel elements and droplets; the trajectory of large drops through the edges of the PDA measurement volume with its Gaussian intensity distribution [2] and the high probability of non spherical droplets. The work concludes that the LDA/PDA measurement technique, as applied here, is robust. It can discriminate between partially and fully atomized sprays, has a high probability of accurately measuring dropsizes larger than the measurement volume and give a realistic indication of ‘sizes’ for non spherical droplets. However, specification of the PDA system parameters must be strictly compatible with the measurement task to yield unambiguous results.     

Visualization of two phase flow inside an effervescent atomizer

Effervescent atomization is one of the twin-fluid atomization methods while it has better performance in terms of smaller drop sizes and/or lower injection pressures. In order to investigate the effects of the internal flow patterns on droplet characteristics, a new kind of effervescent atomizer was designed and manufactured. The bubble forming process was visualized with a high-speed camera, while the droplet size was characterized with a LDV/PDA system. The experimental results show that there are three regimes of the two-phase flows inside the discharge orifice, one is bubbly flow, another is annular flow while the other is the intermittent flow. The flow patterns transfered from bubbly flow to intermittent flow and then to annular flow with decreasing of the water flow rate. In addition, with increasing of the working pressure or decreasing of the water flow rate, the SMD (Sauter mean diameter) of the droplets decreased and the axial mean velocity increased.