PREDICTION OF DROPLET SIZE FROM THE BREAKUP OF CYLINDRICAL LIQUID JETS

A simple equation to predict the size of droplets formed during the br eakup of cyclindrical liquid jets is obtained from instability analysi s. This droplet-size equation applies to low-velocity, liquid-in-liqui d and liquid-in-gas jets involving Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids t hat follow power-law shear stress versus deformation rate relationship s. The equation is tested by comparing the resultant theoretical predi ctions for droplet size with experimental data for seventeen Newtonian liquid systems and five power-law non-Newtonian/Newtonian liquid syst ems (power-law liquid jet in Newtonian liquid and Newtonian liquid jet in power-law liquid), as well as with numerical solutions to Tomotika 's equation. Good agreement is observed. The present analysis demonstr ates clearly the dependence of droplet size on a modified Ohnesorge nu mber.