Effect of Acoustic Perturbations on Liquid Jet Atomization

The effect of unsteady chamber characteristics on the atomization process is investigated using nonlinear free-surface models based on boundary element methods. Two separate scenarios are considered. In the first case, a liquid column is subjected to transverse oscillations from the gas phase. The second calculation addresses dynamic orifice mass flow caused by the presence of longitudinal acoustic perturbations. Results indicate that the atomization process can be strongly affected by these perturbations. As expected, the most prominent coupling occurs at driving frequencies that are at (or near) the natural frequency of oscillation of the liquid. (Author)