Review of Flow Blurring Atomization: Advances and Perspectives

Abstract

This review summarizes the state of the art of flow blurring atomization, focusing both on fundamental aspects of this atomization mode as well as key observations made from applications of flow blurring. Flow blurring is an internal-twin fluid atomization method that offers effective interphase turbulent mixing and very fine liquid sprays. The features of this mode of liquid breakup make it attractive for applications in liquid fuel spray combustion, although it also offers potential benefits to applications requiring the atomization of non-Newtonian liquids, for example, such as in polymer filament manufacturing. This review concisely covers features of the internal nozzle flow of flow blurring atomizers, the effect of the orifice geometry on the spray, the behavior of the near-field spray region, the effect of liquid physical properties on droplet behavior, and general observations of reacting flow blurring sprays. Consistencies among the various research conducted is highlighted throughout the review, and this information, along with identified gaps in our understanding, is used to offer suggestions for future research.

Integrating a micro-mixing mechanism and on-line thermal processing for the large-scale ejection of polymeric liquid threads for producing ultrafine fibers

“…The formation of bubbles in the atomizer interior is the main characteristic of the flow blurring regime as reported by us and others. 23,30,34,35…”

“…The formation of bubbles in the atomizer interior is the main characteristic of the ow blurring regime as reported by us and others. 23,30,34,35 Rather than a liquid vein surrounded by droplets as in the TFF (Fig. 3a), in this case, the outcome is a ne aerosol.…”

“…23 As the bubbles recirculate in the liquid interior and move forward with the main current the fragment the liquid bulk thus originating the threads. 23,29,[33][34][35] Thus, this approach is suitable for the processing of viscous, polymer solutions. Although ow blurring atomization has been performed with water and other Newtonian liquids, its use for production of micro/nanobers remains largely unexplored.…”

“…23,29,30,38 From the seminal work of Gañán-Calvo, 23,30,38 several authors have reported direct observations of the formation of bubbles in the interior of the liquid feeding tube, in the surrounding of its tip, which is considered the main feature of this type of liquid atomization. 25,[33][34][35]39,40 Such knowledge of the technique as well as our experience identifying various underlying phenomena 23,29,31,38,41 allow us to use simulations as a solid tool to interrogate more complex systems. Therefore, to validate our computational approach for polymer solutions, rstly, simulations of FB atomization of water were carried out.…”