Detailed characterization of an air assist atomizer and its use in a swirl stabilized combustor

The quality of the fuel injector in spray combustion devices has been steadily improved to meet the operational demands. Jackson and Samuelsen (1984) have conducted a characterization of the fuel spray from an air assist nozzle with an optical technique. In the present investigation, a second nonintrusive optical technique is applied in the characterization of the spray field. The interferometric, single droplet measuring device is evaluated as a mass flux meter. Attention is given to the use of both conventional measurements and evolving laser diagnostics for the purpose of detecting nozzle spray performance. It is concluded that patternation is an effective indicator of nozzle symmetry and, in contrast to laser measurements, is relatively straightforward in application.