Effects of streamwise rotation on the dynamics of a droplet

Abstract

An initially streamwise rotating droplet released into a uniform cross flow is studied numerically. The computations are performed using a finite volume Navier-Stokes solver which employs a moving mesh interface tracking scheme to locate the interface. With a large initial Weber number (Wei = 40) the streamwise rotating droplet flattens along the free stream direction more quickly as rotation rate () increases, and leads to a dramatic increase in the dynamic drag coefficient (CD/A*, where A* is the dimensionless frontal area). On the other hand, for Wei = 4 and 0.4 at , the flattening of the droplet is less pronounced and the droplet even restores to spherical shape, hence, CD/A* decreases s..