Modeling of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow Within Simplex Atomizers

In this paper the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method is used to simulate Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flow within simplex (pressure-swirl) atomizers. The two-dimensional axisymmetric swirl Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the VOF method is employed for accounting the formation mechanism of the liquid film inside the swirl chamber and the orifice hole of the pressure swirl atomizer. For verification of the code, the numerical results were compared with experimental data for large scale prototype injector with water (Newtonian fluid) as injection fluid in various constant inlet mass flow rate. By using power-law equation to calculate shear stress terms in the Navier-Stokes equations, the code is extended to compute Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flow inside the atomizer. The time-independent purely viscous power-law fluids flow in pressure-swirl atomizers is simulated. The effects of shear-thinning fluids (0.5 < n <1), viscous Newtonian (n = 1) fluids and shear thickening fluids (1< n < 1.5) on atomizers performance (discharge coefficient and spray cone angle) were investigated. Results were shown that with increasing the power-law index the spray cone angle decreases and the discharge coefficient increases.