For the design and optimization of a tubular gas-liquid atomization mixer

the atomization and mixing characteristics of liquid jet breakup in the limited tube space is a key problem. In this study

the primary breakup process of liquid jet column was analyzed by high-speed camera

then the droplet size and velocity distribution of atomized droplets were measured by Phase-Doppler anemometry (PDA). The hydrodynamic characteristics of gas flow in tubular gas-liquid atomization mixer were analyzed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation. The results indicate that the liquid flow rate has little effect on the atomization droplet size and atomization pressure drop

and the gas flow rate is the main influence parameter. Under all experimental gas flow conditions

the liquid jet column undergoes a primary breakup process

forming larger liquid blocks and droplets. When the gas flow rate (

Q

g

) is less than 127 m

3

·h

-1

the secondary breakup of large liquid blocks and droplets does not occur in venturi throat region. The Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of droplets measured at the outlet is more than 140 μm

and the distribution is uneven. When

Q

g

127 m

3

·h

-1

the large liquid blocks and droplets have secondary breakup process at the throat region. The SMD of droplets measured at the outlet is less than 140 μm

and the distribution is uniform. When 127

Q

g

162 m

3

·h

-1

the secondary breakup mode of droplets is bag breakup or pouch breakup. When 181

Q

g

216 m

3

·h

-1

the secondary breakup mode of droplets is shear breakup or catastrophic breakup. In order to ensure efficient atomization and mixing

the throat gas velocity of the tubular atomization mixer should be designed to be about 51 m·s

-1

under the lowest operating flow rate. The pressure drop of the tubular atomization mixer increases linearly with the square of gas velocity

and the resistance coefficient is about 2.55 in single-phase flow condition and 2.73 in gas-liquid atomization condition.