Effect of injector geometry variables upon the spray performance of a plain-jet airblast atomizer

The results of a study into the effect that liquid orifice orientation and scale have upon the drop-size performance of a plain-jet airblast atomizer, featuring the injection of multiple liquid jets into a swirling airstream, are presented. Tests were conducted on water at near atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions using the well-established laser light scattering technique for spray quality measurements. The results presented in the paper reveal that the angular orientation of the liquid orifice, both in longitudinal and radial directions has a noticeable impact upon the atomization performance and exhibits scope for attaining further worthwile reductions in drop-size relative to the multiple, transverely injected liquid jet configuration.