Varun Kulkarni

Quantitative, three-dimensional diagnostics of multiphase drop fragmentation via digital in-line holography

Quantitative application of digital in-line holography (DIH) to characterize multiphase fragmentation is demonstrated. DIH is applied to record sequential holograms of the breakup of an ethanol droplet in an aerodynamic flow field. Various stages of the breakup process are recorded, including deformation, bag growth, bag breakup, and rim breakup. A recently proposed hybrid method is applied to extract the three-dimensional (3D) location and size of secondary droplets as well as the 3D morphology of the rim. Particle matching between sequential frames is used to determine the velocity. Coincidence with the results obtained from phase Doppler anemometry measurement demonstrates the accuracy of measurement by DIH and the hybrid method.

Analytical Model for the Deformation of Viscoelastic Non-Newtonian Drops Undergoing Secondary Atomization

While there is no single analytical model that accurately predicts all stages and modes of secondary atomization, many groups have developed models that predict deformation and oscillation of a single, isolated drop. The TAB (Taylor Analogy Breakup) model was chosen for this investigation, mainly due to its widespread use by Liu and Reitz [1], Hwang et al. [2], Tanner [3], and Lee and Reitz [4], among others. Since the TAB model is also the foundation for many other analytical models, it will also be used here as a starting point for the development of a viscoelastic non-Newtonian model to predict droplet deformed radii, droplet deformation time, and velocity at deformation time for viscoelastic xanthan gum - DI water solutions.Three additional improvements are made to this viscoelastic TAB model: the first is a change to a TAB coefficient; the second to the equation for the drag coefficient, and the third modification is to the breakup criterion. This model uses Carreau rheology and Zimm relaxation time. Non-dimensional drop diameter and initiation times are plotted against We; model results are compared to experimental results for a range of xanthan gum solution concentrations. Results show fair agreement between experimental results and model results for non-dimensional drop diameter, with the best match at low XG concentration and low-to-medium We (10–30). It was also noted that increased viscoelasticity seems to increase this drop diameter. Good agreement between experimental data and model results has been seen for initiation time, with increased viscoelasticity increasing this parameter as well.Copyright