Multi-step spray modelling of a flat fan atomizer

The present study combines Eulerian CFD modeling of the liquid flow inside an atomizer, instability analysis of liquid sheet, statistical spray analysis, and Lagrangian modeling for spray transport of a flat fan atomizer widely used in agricultural spraying. High-speed spray imaging and spray size measurements carried out for validation of numerical models and the experimental results agreed reasonably with the modeling results. Although the subject of the study is a flat fan atomizer, the methodology presented could be employed to other types of spray nozzles that rely on liquid sheet disintegration mechanism. The systematic modeling of spray systems with the methodology explained in the paper not only reduces the design and prototyping time and costs but also gives engineers a better understanding of the design parameters for improved spray system performance.