2 results
Spatio-temporal microstructure of sprays: data science-based analysis and modelling
- Akshay S. Acharya, Srivallabha Deevi, K. Dhivyaraja, Arun K. Tangirala, Mahesh V. Panchagnula
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- Journal:
- Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 912 / 10 April 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 February 2021, A19
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This empirical study aims to characterize the dynamical behaviour of sprays using time-series analysis of the size–velocity data acquired using a phase Doppler particle analyser. The prime motivation of this analysis is to capture the spatio-temporal correlations using time-series modelling paradigms that provide valuable new insights into spray dynamics. As a first step, we study long-held assumptions, especially on stationarity and time unsteadiness. We show that air-blast sprays have increased drop size as well as velocity ordering near the edge of the spray. Analysis of the inter-particle time of the droplets shows non-Poisson behaviour where droplets that are closely spaced in time are also closely spaced in the size and velocity coordinates. Temporal auto-correlation and partial auto-correlation calculations reveal the presence of inherent correlated features in the spray. This correlation is stronger and short lived in an air-blast spray and weaker but more persistent in a pressure swirl spray. These correlations render the probability density function (p.d.f.) estimate obtained from standard methods inaccurate; therefore, we propose a technically correct way of estimating the p.d.f. using a suitable downsampling and averaging method. Statistical analysis of residuals (from appropriate autoregressive integrated moving average time-series models) uncovers an interesting feature of spray data pertaining to heteroskedasticity (stochastically changing variance) of the diameter series. In order to account for heteroskedasticity, appropriate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models are developed. Finally, we present a utilitarian view of these results as an empirically consistent boundary condition implementation tool for computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Dynamical similarity and universality of drop size and velocity spectra in sprays
- K. Dhivyaraja, D. Gaddes, E. Freeman, S. Tadigadapa, M. V. Panchagnula
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- Journal:
- Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 860 / 10 February 2019
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 December 2018, pp. 510-543
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Sprays are a class of multiphase flows which exhibit a wide range of drop size and velocity scales spanning several orders of magnitude. The objective of the current work is to experimentally investigate the prospect of dynamical similarity in these flows. We are also motivated to identify a choice of length and time scales which could lead towards a universal description of the drop size and velocity spectra. Towards this end, we have fabricated a cohort of geometrically similar pressure swirl atomizers using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) as well as additive manufacturing technology. We have characterized the dynamical characteristics of the sprays as well as the drop size and velocity spectra (in terms of probability density functions, p.d.f.s) over a wide range of Reynolds ($Re$) and Weber numbers ($We$) using high-speed imaging and phase Doppler interferometry, respectively. We show that the dimensionless Sauter mean diameter ($D_{32}$) scaled to the boundary layer thickness in the liquid sheet at the nozzle exit ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{o}$) exhibits self-similarity in the core region of the spray, but not in the outer zone. In addition, we show that global drop size spectra in the sprays show two distinct characteristics. The spectra from varying $Re$ and $We$ collapse onto a universal p.d.f. for drops of size $x$ where $x/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{o}>1$. For $x/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{o}<1$, a residual effect of $Re$ and $We$ persists in the size spectra. We explain this characteristic by the fact that the physical mechanisms that cause large drops is different from that which is responsible for the small drops. Similarly, with the liquid sheet velocity at the nozzle exit ($u_{s}$) as the choice of velocity scale, we show that drops moving with a velocity $u$ such that $u/u_{s}<1$ collapse onto a universal p.d.f., while drops with $u/u_{s}>1$ exhibit a residual effect of $Re$ and $We$. From these observations, we suggest that physically accurate models for drop size and velocity spectra should rely on piecewise descriptions of the p.d.f. rather than invoking a single mathematical form for the entire distribution. Finally, we show from a dynamical modal analysis that the conical liquid sheet flapping characteristics exhibit a sharp transition in Strouhal number ($St$) at a critical $Re$.