Theory of free fall breakup of large drops

This paper presents a theoretical investigation of the bag-mode breakup of liquid drops freely falling through the gas or another liquid of less density. A shape of flattened drop is postulated, a condition of equilibrium of drop formulated, a model of blowing up of the bag proposed and the respective definition of critical Weber number introduced. There are computed: minimal Weber number when the drop begins to flatten, degree of flattening, critical Weber number and secondary drops diameter. Appendix contains a generalization of the investigation on the drop of liquid and bubble of gas travelling upwards. The paper may be utilized in the study of precipitation, as well as in designing of cooling towers and the scrubbers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.