ABSTRACT
Flow rate is the only parameter concerning the quantity rather than the quality of atomized liquid. The flow rate measured as a function of liquid pressure drop is a fundamental characteristic of an atomizer. The external shape of a drop jet is characterized by the spray angle and the range of the jet; the internal structure refers mostly to the distribution of the liquid in the spray. The real drop distribution is best described by the Rosin-Rammler equation. This equation has a relatively simple form, and its two parameters can easily be determined by a graphic method. Jet atomizers with intermittent operation work totally differently from continuous atomizers. Macrostructure encompasses the external shape and the internal structure of the spray. The spray angle characterizes the shape of the drop jet. Knowledge of the mean spray angle is necessary for the proper design of various devices.
