Application of ULDF to Determine Maximum Drop Size Produced by Pneumatic Atomiser

Pneumatic atomisers are well suited to the production ofsprays with average drop diameter less than 30Jim mass mean diameter depending on the pressure used. The maximum size ofthe drops formed are a function ofthe design of the atomiser: In this study, droplet size in a pneumatic atomiser was measured using a laser diffraction technique. The conversion ofnumber count to volume distribution is computed using the Integral Method instead of using the data provided by the measuring device. In addition, the maximum droplet size, Xm is determined graphically by fitting the data into the Upper Limit Distribution Function, ULDF. Optimisation offit with ULDF also provided Sauter Mean Diameter, X32 and Volume Mean Diameter, X30 which compare well with the Integral Method of sizing. As a result of this work, drop sizes in pneumatic atomiser can be estimated with great accuracy.