Work

Droplet breakup and size distribution in an airstream: Effect of inertia

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Our study experimentally investigates the morphology and breakup of a droplet descending into an airstream, analyzing child droplet size distributions through high-speed shadowgraphy and in-line holography. We found that varying the droplet's release height results in different breakup modes --- from vibrational to retracting bag-stamen breakup at the same Weber number --- each with distinct size distributions. Our theoretical model, which incorporates the effective Weber number, accurately predicts these distributions, underscoring the critical impact of droplet dynamics and aerodynamic interactions on breakup behavior.

Source: Physical Review Fluids

DOI: 10.1103/physrevfluids.9.084004

Authors: Someshwar Sanjay Ade, Pavan Kumar Kirar, Lakshmana Dora Chandrala, Kirti Chandra Sahu

Institution: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

Language: English

Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer

Subfield: Computational Mechanics

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Science and Engineering Research Board, Division of Chemistry

Awards: G6831660596, G7894123251