Theoretical criteria for homogeneous flash boiling atomization

When a liquid at a high pressure is driven out through an orifice to below its saturation pressure, flash-boiling of the homogeneous nucleation type may occur, resulting in high quality liquid atomization. This is one of the most effective means of generating a fine and narrow-dispersed spray. The occurrence of flash boiling atomization involves kinetic stability problems that are characterized by two criteria that include a minimal initial liquid temperature and a minimal rate of pressure drop. In this work, we analyze, and suggest analytical expressions for these two criteria. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.