Review of theory of distortion and disintegration of liquid streams

Linear and nonlinear analyses of the instabilities and distortion of liquid streams injected into a gaseous media are discussed. The various fundament al mechanisms and the predictive capabilities for the distortions are empha sized. Round jets, planar sheets, annular sheets, and conical sheets are di scussed in detail. The balance between capillary and inertial forces is pri marily examined. The method for simplifying the analyses in the case of thi n liquid sheets is discussed. The capabilities for representing the droplet size distribution that follows the stream disintegration are outlined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.