Penetration length and diameter development of vortex rings generated by impacting water drops

The formation of water drops underneath nozzles was studied numerically to provide the basis for repeatable experimental drop formation. The drops detached from the nozzle and impacted on a free water surface forming vortex rings. Experimental results obtained through kinematographic studies of the penetration and growth of these vortex rings are presented. Variations of the penetration depth were measured, depending on the nozzle height above the water surface where the drops were formed. The experiments revealed that it is the state of oscillation at impact that defines the penetration length. Interesting variations of the vortex ring diameter with time were recorded. A good overall understanding of the behavior of the diameter variation was obtained when it was plotted as a function of the penetration depth.