The trajectory and stability of a spiralling liquid jet. Part 1. Inviscid theory

Abstract

We examine a spiralling slender inviscid liquid jet which emerges from a rapidly rotating orifice. The trajectory of this jet is determined using asymptotic methods, and the stability using a multiple scales approach. It is found that the trajectory of the jet becomes more tightly coiled as the Weber number is decreased. Unstable travelling wave modes are found to grow along the jet. The breakup length of the jet is calculated, showing good agreement with experiments.