Boundary element analysis of the droplet dynamics induced by spark-generated bubble

Spark bubble droplet generation (SBDG) method is the most recently developed drop-on-demand droplet generation technique where the oscillation of a spark-generated bubble near a circular aperture causes a single droplet quite smaller than the aperture to form and break off. This paper investigates the fluid dynamics of the droplet generated through a flat plate aperture as well as through the nozzle of an axisymmetric chamber using boundary element method and high-speed photography. The results revealed that the bottom wall of the chamber would strongly influence the behavior of the bubble oscillating inside. In addition, it was found that with the same normalized nozzle size and bubble distance from air-liquid interface, a relatively smaller and faster droplet is generated from the chamber nozzle as compared with that formed through the flat plate aperture. Furthermore, although the droplet size decreases, its pinch-off time was found to increase by increasing the size of chamber feeder canal. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.