Numerical simulation of the aerobreakup of a water droplet

We present a three-dimensional numerical simulation of the aerobreakup of a spherical water droplet in the flow behind a normal shock wave. The droplet and surrounding gas flow are simulated using the compressible multicomponent Euler equations in a finite-volume scheme with shock and interface capturing. The aerobreakup process is compared with available experimental visualizations. Features of the droplet deformation and breakup in the stripping breakup regime, as well as descriptions of the surrounding gas flow, are discussed. Analyses of observed surface instabilities and a Fourier decomposition of the flow field reveal asymmetrical azimuthal modulations and broadband instability growth that result in chaotic flow within the wake region.