Numerical study on atomization characteristics of swirl nozzle for artificial snowmakers
Dong Peiwen[1], Zhang Bowen[2], Liu Guoqiang[1], Wu Haifeng[2], Huang Zhidian[3],Yan Gang[1], Wang Ruixiang[2], Sun Chenghua[4]
Swirl nozzle is regarded as the key component of on artificial snowmaker, its atomization effect directly affects the snow quality. A three-dimensional numerical model of swirl nozzle atomization is established based on VOF to DPM model, in order to further explore the atomization characteristics of swirl nozzle. The effects of inlet pressure on the atomization characteristics such as droplet size and velocity are studied, and the accuracy of the model is verified by experiments. The results show that after full development of spray, the Sauter mean diameter decreases with the increase of inlet pressure. The rising pressure enhances the aerodynamic instability between liquid and air, promotes the liquid breakup, and shortens the breakup time of liquid. The velocity of liquid film and droplet both increase with the rising inlet pressure. With the inlet pressure increasing from 0.6 MPa to 1.4 MPa, the velocity of liquid film and droplets can increase by 58.8% and 52.2%. Moreover, during the breakup process, the conversion of kinetic energy into surface energy reduces the liquid velocity.