Evaluation of breakup models for liquid side jets in supersonic cross flows

Abstract

In this study, numerical simulations of the interaction between supersonic crossflow and a side liquid jet were performed. The processes of the liquid jet breakup, flow separation and shock waves resulting from the interaction of the gas flows and liquid droplets were predicted. In the numerical simulation, a two-way coupling Eulerian-Lagrangian method was used. The two-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes Equations were solved based on the MUSCL type (Monotone Upstream-Centred Scheme for Conservation Laws) spatial differencing coupling with Roe-type flux-difference splitting and a third-order accurate Runge-Kutta method for time-splitting. The atomization of liquid droplets was simulated using the combined KH-RT breakup model. The modified breakup model considered both the interface instability and the sudden deformation of a liquid spray induced by the compressible flows. Shock waves, recirculation zones and breakup processes of droplet particles were captured. The predicted droplet distributions at various operating conditions were discussed. Satisfied agreement between simulations and measurements is shown in the current work.