DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE OF AN ULTRASONIC ATOMIZATION SYSTEM FOR EXPERIMENTAL COMBUSTION APPLICATIONS

Although common atomizing systems efficiently produce sprays, a range of droplet sizes is generally obtained and the distribution is often difficult to control in terms of liquid or gaseous flow rates. It is shown that an alternative system, based on ultrasonic surface instabilities, is well suited for experimental applications where all parameters have to be controlled. Technological aspects of ultrasonic atomization are described and the droplet spray produced by an ultrasonic atomizer is characterized experimentally.