ABSTRACT
The process of atomization is one in which liquid is disintegrated into drops by the acting forces. It proceeds easily if the liquid is present in a form that is more susceptible to disintegration. For some liquids, such as hydrocarbonic fuels, the density and surface tension change insignificantly, and in these cases the Laplace number represents simply the effect of the liquid viscosity on the atomization process. Theoretical description of the disintegration of jets and sheets is difficult even for the simplest methods of atomization. The disintegration of a liquid jet caused by axisymmetric waves has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. For very high velocities the liquid disintegrates almost immediately into small jets and consequently into drops before waves can develop. The disintegration of a sheet, like that of a jet, depends mainly on the liquid discharge velocity. Common to both of these processes is loss of jet stability, since the sheet disintegrates initially into jets and subsequently into drops.
