Energy considerations in spraying process of a spill-return pressure-swirl atomizer

- We analyse energy conversion in simplex and spill-return pressure-swirl atomizer.
- Inlet (pressure) energy converts into liquid motion with nozzle efficiency ∼58%.
- Kinetic energy of developed spray at closed spill line is ∼33% of the inlet energy.
- It consists of energy of droplets (∼2/3) and entrained air (1/3).
- Atomization efficiency is <0.3%; it declines with inlet pressure and spill opening.