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.