Factors Affecting Spray Cone Angle of Pressure Swirl Atomizer for Gas Turbine Combustion Chamber: Theoretical and Experimental Analysis

Objectives: The droplet distribution after atomization depends on spray cone angle; hence it affects the performance of combustor. The previous studies and their results are conflicting as atomizer geometry or operating a parameters change which needs to be generalized. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In the present work the effect of discharge orifice diameter, nozzle angle and injection conditions on spray cone angle are studied experimentally. A pressure swirl atomizer with different geometry has been investigated at different injection pressure. The photographs are captured to measure the spray cone angle of the liquid coming out of the atomizer. Findings: It has been found that spray cone angle is directly proportional to injection pressure and inversely proportional to geometry constant and nozzle angle. The published correlations are compared with experimental results and it is found that the spray cone angle is not only the function of geometric parameters but also the function of injection pressure and liquid properties. Applications/Improvement: The results can be helpful in deciding preliminary dimension of the gas turbine combustion chamber.