Evaluation of X-ray sources for quantitative two- and three-dimensional imaging of liquid mass distribution in atomizing sprays

• Quantitative 2-D and 3-D (CT) liquid mass distributions measured in atomizing sprays.
• X-ray radiography compared using narrowband synchrotron and broadband tube sources.
• Resolution, percent error, and precision evaluated.
• KI added as contrast enhancing agent.

Quantitative measurement of liquid mass distribution is demonstrated in an impinging-jet atomizing spray using a broadband, ∼80 keV X-ray tube source for 2-D radiography and 3-D computed tomography (CT). The accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of these data are evaluated using narrowband, ∼10 keV, synchrotron radiation from the Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source (APS) at the same flow conditions. It is found that the broadband X-ray tube source can be used for 2-D measurement of the equivalent path length (EPL) and 3-D CT imaging of liquid mass distribution with typical error of 5–10%. Data are compared for cases with and without the use of potassium iodide (KI), which at 15% concentration by mass increases the attenuation coefficient eightfold and enables 2-D and 3-D measurement of EPL with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 5:1 down to 15 μm. At this concentration, the effects of energy-dependent attenuation (i.e., spectral beam hardening) are negligible for EPL up to 5 mm. Hence, the use of broadband X-ray tube sources is feasible for many practical engineering sprays with a dynamic range in EPL of ∼330:1. The advantages and limitations of using broadband and narrowband X-ray sources are discussed, and recommendations for improving performance are presented.