Macroscopic spray behavior and atomization characteristics of refrigerant R22 injection under increased ambient pressure

In this study, we investigate the spray behavior and atomization characteristics of refrigerant R22 injection in a high pressure chamber under various ambient pressures using a spray visualization system and image processing. In order to observe the spray behavior of R22, the spray images were analyzed in time series after the start of injection. From the spray images, spray characteristics such as the spray tip penetration, cone angle and spray area were investigated by using the contour map of the light intensity levels. The results showed that the ambient pressure significantly affected the spray characteristics of the refrigerant. The spray tip penetration velocity was the highest at the ambient pressure of 500 kPa. When the ambient pressure was lower than 500 kPa, the vaporization of the refrigerant determined the spray and atomization characteristics; however, when ambient pressure was higher than 500 kPa, the surface tension and viscosity of the refrigerant and the density of ambient gas affected the spray behavior and atomization characteristics. Furthermore, the injection stream of the refrigerant was compared with the injection stream of water at the ambient pressure of 1500 kPa.