Liquid volume fraction and droplet sizing in atomizing sprays using polarization ratio with dual structured laser illumination planar imaging

It is essential that the design of atomizing sprays be tailored to the specific requirements of various industrial processes within, e.g., the agricultural or energy sector. However, the measurement of key atomizer parameters-central to the optimization of such systems-suffers from time-intensive techniques, complex calibration routines, and/or the need to include additives in the injected liquid. Here, we present an additive-less, two-dimensional optical technique for determining droplet sizes, number densities, and liquid volume fractions of optically dense atomizing sprays. This method is applied to characterize two distinct hollow-cone sprays injected at high pressure and flow rate. Our results reveal local inhomogeneities in various key atomizer parameters, demonstrating the potential for efficient, in situ characterization of atomizing spray systems.