Numerical simulation of two-phase flow within an effervescent atomizer using volume of fluid model

In the present study two-phase flow within the effervescent atomizer has been simulated by the volume of fluid interface tracing model using 0.08%, 0.32%, 1.24%, and 4.9% gas-to-liquid mass ratios and 0.38 L/min liquid flow rate. The purpose of this simulation is to study two-phase flow regimes within the effervescent atomizer and their effect on the atomization quality. This study also considers the gas-liquid interface instabilities in different two-phase flow regimes inside the atomizer. The compressibility of gas phase which is rear in literature survey included in gas-to-liquid mass ratios of 1.24% and 4.9%, due to the high gas phase velocity in constant liquid flow rate and high gas-to-liquid mass ratios. The effect of gravitational force is considered in all simulations. The results of the simulation indicate that by increasing the gas-to-liquid mass ratio, the two-phase flow regime inside the discharge passage transfers from bubbly flow regime with long bubbles to annular flow regime. In addition to decreasing the liquid film thickness coming out from discharge orifice (during transform of the flow regime from bubbly flow to annular flow), the liquid interface instabilities increase in the annular flow regime and besides, where segregated ligaments from the liquid interface become shorter, thinner and more unstable. This type of regime is the most efficient flow behavior for the effervescent atomizer.