Wave phenomena in liquid jet breakup in a supersonic crossflow

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of some quantitative features of the wave process that produces jet column fracture are presented. The tests were conducted in a supersonic wind tunnel at Mach 2.4-4.0 at ambient stagnation temperature and stagnation pressures of 2.7-9.5 atm with several injectants at various flow rates. Photographic observations were employed, and data describing the waves on the jet column that lead to breakup including wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and wave speed are presented. The results point toward the acceleration '' mechanism as the mode of wave production. '