Development of a Semi-Empirical Model for Droplet Size Determination of a Three-Channel Spray Nozzle for Pellet Coating Based on the Optical Method Concept

The purpose of this study was to investigate the droplet size obtained with a three-channel spray nozzle typically used in fluid bed devices and to construct a semi-empirical model for prediction of droplet size. With the aid of a custom-made optical method concept, the impact of the type of polymer and solvents used through dispersion properties (viscosity, density, and surface tension), dispersion flow rate, atomization pressure, and microclimate pressure on droplet size was investigated. A semi-empirical model with adequate predictability for calculating the average droplet size (R2 = 0.90, Q2 = 0.73) and its distribution (R2 = 0.84, Q2 = 0.61) was constructed by employing dimensional analysis and design of experiments. Newtonian and non-Newtonian dispersion and process parameters on laboratory and on production scale were included, thereby enabling constant droplet size irrespective of the scale. Based on the model results, it would be possible to scale-up the atomization process (e.g., coating process) from laboratory to production scale in a systematic fashion, regardless of the type of solvent or polymer used. For the system investigated, this can be performed by understanding the dispersion properties, such as viscosity, density, and surface tension, as well as the following process parameters: dispersion flow rate, atomization, and microclimate pressure.

Parametric Redesign of a Convergent-Divergent Cold Spray Nozzle

The generation of a high velocity carrier gas flow for cold metal particle applications is addressed; with specific focus on titanium cold spraying. The high hardness of this material makes cold spraying titanium difficult to achieve by industry standard nozzles. The redesign of a commercial conical convergent-divergent cold spray nozzle is achieved by the application of aerospace design codes; based on the Method of Characteristics; towards producing a more isentropic expansion by contouring the nozzle walls. Steady threedimensional RANS SST k-ω simulations of nitrogen are coupled two-way to particle parcel tracking in the Lagrangian frame of reference. The new contoured nozzle is found to produce higher particle velocities with greater radial spread; when operated at the same conditions/cost of operation as the commercial nozzle. These numerical results have shown the potential for extending cold spray to high density and low ductility particles by relatively minor rig modifications; through an effective synergy between gas dynamics and material science.

Study on Spray Evaporation Treatment of Desulfurization Wastewater

Limestone-gypsum wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) often produces a certain amount of wastewater with complex water quality and heavy metal pollution which should be treated properly before release. Spaying the desulfurization wastewater into flue duct and using exhausted flue gas heat for evaporation is a promising and economical technology for achieving zero wastewater discharge in thermal power plant. To enable a more in-depth understanding on evaporation of FGD wastewater spray, a visual wind tunnel test rig based on the atomized droplet laser measuring system was built to reveal the impact factors on droplet thermal-fluid behavior. The dominant impact factors such as compressed air pressure and flow rate in air-blast spray nozzle, hot air temperature and velocity in the evaporation tunnel were analyzed to discuss the droplet size distribution and evaporation performance through alternating operate condition. A discrete mathematical model that combines both Eulerian and Lagrangian framework was established to validate the experiment result. It is concluded that introducing high pressure compressed air into the nozzle can contribute to the dispersion of droplets and enhance the evaporation rate. Proper flow rate in spray nozzle is required to avoid incomplete droplets evaporation. Air temperature and velocity in the evaporation tunnel apply positive impact on droplet size distribution and evaporation performance. Numerical simulation results of both dominant factors impact on evaporation behavior and total evaporation rate showed consistency with the experimental outcome.

Computational fluid dynamic simulation of a pulse-width modulated spray nozzle

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a useful tool used by engineers in many industries to study fluid flow. A relatively new industry to adopt the use of CFD is the agricultural industry. A spray nozzle commonly used in agricultural spraying, the Teejet 110-degree nozzle (TeeJet Technologies, 2020), was simulated. A method was developed to pulse the spray. A user-defined function was used to define the velocity at the inlet of the nozzle to pulse the spray. The domain was then extended to allow the examination of a slice 20 inches below the nozzle. The simulation results were compared to experimental results collected from a sprayer testbed. The effect of frequency was then investigated by changing the frequency of the pulses. Results from these studies show that a userdefined function can be used to pulse the spray. CFD can be used to model spray nozzles, but the validity of the results are strongly related to the computational resources available, and increasing the frequency of the pulses results in a higher concentrated spray toward the center of the spray plume. The simulations were carried out using a commercial code (CD-Adapco, 2019).

Study of a Cold Spray Nozzle Throat on Acceleration Characteristics via CFD

Cold spray technology can obtain coatings in a solid state, suitable for deposition protection, repair, and additive manufacturing. In order to further expand the application areas of cold spraying nozzles, especially the inner surface of the components or areas where a Straight-line conical nozzle cannot be applied, because the study of the throat of the nozzle with the angle will directly reduce the total length of the nozzle (the horizontal direction), hence, the spray with the angle will show its advantage. This study discusses the influence of the throat structure of the conical cold spray nozzle on the acceleration characteristics, including the throat’s size, length, and angle. The results show the following. Firstly, under the premise of keeping the shrinkage ratio and divergence ratio unchanged at normal temperature, the throat diameter is between 2–6 mm in size, and the maximum growth rate exceeds 20 m/s. When the throat exceeds 6mm, the growth rate of the outlet slows down, and the growth rate is only 8 m/s. Secondly, the length of the throat has little effect on the acceleration characteristics, the total range fluctuated from 533 to 550 m/s, and 11 mm length of the throat is the closest to 0mm. Additionally, the 90° throat angle has the least effect on the acceleration characteristics. Finally, the particle trajectory is affected by inlet pressure, injection pressure, particle size, and other factors.

Spray nozzle on the gas injector of the internal combustion engine

The design of the nozzle on the gas injector for gas and gas-diesel engines with distributed and phased gas supply is proposed to increase the uniformity of the gas-air mixture entering the engine cylinders during the intake process. A method for calculating the flow capacity of the nozzle through the pressure drop is given, which adequately assesses the effect of the nozzle design on the gas supply conditions, which will allow adjusting the settings of the gas fuel supply system in a real engine.