A Study on Aerosol Spray Characteristics of Different Size Atomizers

In this study, the variations of spray characteristics are tested with air-assisted siphon type different size liquid atomizers. The spray characteristics are analyzed considering three atomizers having the same inlet diameter, with different constricted areas and exit diameters for the flow rates of 42, 57, and 71l pm. Three different mixtures of Oleic Acid with Ethanol, and three different mixtures of Di-Octyl Phthalate (DOP) with Ethanol are employed as working fluids along with the six different suction heights. Experimental outcomes show that, for the same flow rates, solution, and suction height, the droplet size changes by varying the diameter of the constricted area and exit area. The change of any area in atomizer changes the level of turbulence in flow that results in the variation of droplet size and its distribution. The increasing flow rate also assists in increasing the droplet size. Since the droplet size distribution decreases with the increasing viscosity, the use of DOP and Ethanol mixture increases the droplet size as it is more viscous than the Oleic Acid and Ethanol mixture. It is also noticed that at a constant airflow rate, Number Median Aerodynamic Diameter (NMAD), and liquid consumption rate are inversely proportional, whereas the Geometrical Standard Deviation (GSD) and Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) is directly proportional to the suction height.