Spray Theory

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of physics of liquid atomization, spray formation and propagation. The course will introduce the student to the theoretical models pertaining to jet breakup and drop formation. The application of multiphase models for studying spray transport will also be discussed. Finally, the course will present an overview of the design aspects as they pertain to spray nozzle and atomizers and discuss potential applications in combustion systems.Theoretical modeling of drop formation and atomization: Various regimes of jet breakup will be discussed with relevance to the non-dimensional parameter space. This section will discuss linear instability as well as nonlinear stability based theoretical models for drop formation in both cylindrical jet and annular and planar sheet geometries will be delineated. The course will discuss experimental evidence in support of such theoretical models as proof of validation. Finally, theoretical models of “prompt” atomization will be presented.Drop size distribution models: We will consider a stochastic description of the spray formation and propagation process while paying attention to the physical origins of such distributions. The various existing models for drop size distribution will be discussed. The coupling of these models into a multiphase transport framework for studying spray propagation will be presented. Finally, the various experimental techniques that are employed to interrogate sprays will also be presented.Spray applications: The final section of the course will discuss various applications of sprays including spray combustion and spray drying. A general overview of the physical processes underlying each application will be presented and an overview of the design process for each application will be discussed.