An experimental investigation of air-assist non-swirl atomizer sprays

Detailed measurements and comparisons were made of air-assist nonswirl atomizer sprays currently being used in aircraft icing research. The critical liquid to air mass flowrate ratio to achieve a good quality of atomization and the most suitable mean dropsize correlation equation has been determined. Two of the most sophisticated and effective instruments, the Laser Diffraction particle sizer (Malvern) and Phase/Doppler particle analyzer (Aerometrics), have been successfully employed in spray characterization over a wide range of operating conditions. Results obtained by line-of-sight measurements using the Laser Diffraction sizer are compared with point measurements obtained by using the Phase/Doppler analyzer as well as with photographs. The accuracy and limitations of using the various instruments for spray characterization are discussed.