Evaporation and propagation of liquid drop streams at vacuum pressures: Experiments and modeling

Daniel R. Guildenbecher, John J. Barnard, Thomas W. Grasser, Anthony M. McMaster, Robert B. Campbell, David P. Grote, Prabal Nandy, and Max Light
Phys. Rev. E 103, 043105 – Published 26 April 2021

Abstract

Evaporation of streams of liquid droplets in environments at vacuum pressures below the vapor pressure has not been widely studied. Here, experiments and simulations are reported that quantify the change in droplet diameter when a steady stream of ≈100 μm diameter drops is injected into a chamber initially evacuated to <108bar. In experiments, droplets fall through the center of a 0.8 m long liquid nitrogen cooled shroud, simulating infinity radiation and vapor mass flux boundary conditions. Experimentally measured changes in drop diameters vary from ≈0 to 6 μm when the initial vapor pressure is increased from 106 to 103 bar by heating the liquid. Measured diameter changes are predicted by a model based on the Hertz-Knudsen equation. One uncertainty in the calculation is the “sticking coefficient” β. Assuming a constant β for all conditions studied here, predicted diameter changes best match measurements with β0.3. This value falls within the range of β reported in the literature for organic liquids. Finally, at the higher vapor pressure conditions considered here, the drop stream disperses transverse to the main flow direction. This spread is attributed to forces imparted by an absolute pressure gradient produced by the evaporating stream.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
6 More
  • Received 19 January 2021
  • Accepted 19 March 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.103.043105

©2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid DynamicsParticles & FieldsCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Daniel R. Guildenbecher1,*, John J. Barnard2, Thomas W. Grasser1, Anthony M. McMaster1, Robert B. Campbell1, David P. Grote2, Prabal Nandy1, and Max Light3

  • 1Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
  • 2Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550, USA
  • 3Los Alamos, National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA

  • *drguild@sandia.gov

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 4 — April 2021

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×