Primary breakup of liquid jet—Effect of jet velocity profile

The present work examines the effect of the velocity profile on primary breakup of liquid jets emanating from fuel injectors. Direct numerical simulation is used to simulate liquid jet breakup. Different velocity profiles are imposed on the liquid and their effect on breakup is examined. It is a common practice in the literature to use flat or uniform velocity profiles in such studies. The validity of this assumption is assessed and its implications are highlighted. Droplet sizes and degree of atomization are compared for all the cases. Further, a detailed comparison of jet breakup structure is made for two cases—parabolic and power-law velocity profiles. The liquid surface is observed to show two-dimensional waves initially, which subsequently transform into three-dimensional waves and give rise to ligament formation and surface breakup. Tip vortex rollup and its role in jet breakup is discussed. The distinction between different velocity profiles is examined in detail in terms of surface waves, degree of atomization, and jet structure.