DESC:PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application hereby claims priority to Indian provisional patent application number 201941045536 filed on 08 November 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present disclosure relates to an atomizer and more particularly relates to a co-axial and co-swirl hybrid air-blast atomizer for producing different spray patterns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Atomizers are the devices which convert liquids into a dispersion of small droplets ranging in the size from submicron to several hundred micron in diameter. Typically, the atomizers are used in a variety of industrial processes such as but not limited to fuel injection for combustion, spray drying, evaporative cooling, spray coating, etc., and have many other applications in medicine, meteorology, and printing.

[003] Among various types of atomizers, pressure swirl atomizer is a well-known atomizer which has widespread use in many engineering applications such as gas turbine, rocket engine, evaporative drying, furnace burners, spray painting, evaporative cooling, humidification, agriculture, and dust suppression. In a pressure swirl atomizer, the liquid enters the atomizer from tangential port or slot and passes through a swirl chamber. Because of tangential ports or slots, the liquid swirls in the swirl chamber and comes out of the discharge orifice in the form of a swirling sheet. When the sheet propagates into the atmosphere, the sheet disintegrates into ligaments and then into small droplets. These processes determine the shape, structure, and penetration of the resulting spray as well as the characteristics of droplet velocity and drop size distribution. All these characteristics are strongly affected by atomizer size and geometry, the properties of the liquid such as surface tension, viscosity, and density, and operating parameters such as atomizing gas velocity, combustion chamber pressure, fuel injection pressure, etc.

[004] Atomization is an important factor in a combustion process because the performance of the combustor is strongly influenced by the atomization quality. For example, high quality atomization increases the cumulative surface area of the sprayed fuel droplets, which in-turn improves evaporation rates, mixing of the fuel with air, and lower pollutant concentrations in the exhaust. Further, since the atomization processes are strongly affected by the various operating parameters such as atomizing medium velocity, combustion chamber pressure, and fuel injection pressure, such operating parameters influence the atomizer design. For example, for a gas turbine-based aircraft engine during aircraft take off, either injection pressure or atomizing air velocity has to be high so that the atomizer provides good atomization which leads to complete combustion and higher thrust.

[005] In the context of industrial furnace burners, flame geometry needs to be changed based on specific heat requirements of the product being processed in the furnace. That is, based on the flame geometry required in a furnace burner, for a fixed atomizing air volume flow rate, fuel flow rate and associated pressures, an appropriate atomizer with the right spray angle and spray pattern is used for fuel injection. If different flame geometries are required keeping the other parameters specified above unchanged, the atomizer needs to be changed based on the desired flame geometry. If the atomizer is not available in the inventory, the atomizer needs to be ordered from the burner supplier. This may take a few weeks during which time the burners may operate on non-optimized flame geometry and may lead to substandard product quality being processed in the furnace.

[006] As described, to get specific flame geometry in the furnace burners, a specific atomizer with specific spray angle and pattern is required, which may add to inventory costs, and cause inconvenience in the process. Hence, there is a need for a dynamic flame geometry adjustment capability wherein the flame geometry can be changed based on specific heat requirements of the product being processed in the furnace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simple manner that is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor is it intended for determining the scope of the disclosure.

[008] A co-axial and co-swirl hybrid air-blast atomizer (atomizer 100) for atomizing a fluid is disclosed, The atomizer 100 having a second end 110 distal to a first end 105 comprises, (1) a first hollow cylinder 115 comprising an axial inlet 135 for a first fluid, the axial inlet 135 being located at the second end 110, and an exit 140 for the first fluid located at the first end 105, (2) a second hollow cylinder 120, coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the first hollow cylinder 115, forming a first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120, and comprising a first radial inlet 150 proximal to the second end 110 for allowing a second fluid to enter the first annular space 145 and comprising an exit 155 for the second fluid at the first end 105, (3) a third hollow cylinder 125, coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the second hollow cylinder 120, forming a second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125 and comprising a second radial inlet 165 proximal to the second end 110 for allowing a third fluid to enter the second annular space 160 and comprising an exit 170 for the third fluid at the first end 105 through a plurality of vanes, and (4) a nozzle cap 130 detachably attached to the third hollow cylinder 125 at the first end 105, wherein the nozzle cap 130 comprises a hollow chamber 305 and one or more orifices 310, and configured to exit the first fluid, the second fluid, the third fluid, or combinations thereof through the one or more orifices 310.
[009] Further, a method for producing different spray patterns using the atomizer 100 is disclosed. The different spray patterns include (1) a hollow cone spray pattern having medium spray angle and low droplet velocity, (2) a solid cone spray pattern having narrow spray angle and high droplet velocity, (3) a solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle and low droplet velocity, and (4) a solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at a spray axis and low droplet velocity at a spray periphery.
[0010] Further to clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosed method, device, and system will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0011] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

[0012] Figure 1A illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary atomizer for producing different spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 1B illustrates exploded longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 1C illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates the first hollow cylinder 115 with helical grooves in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3A and 3B illustrates a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the nozzle cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a hollow cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a first type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a second type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a third type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0021] Figure 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the atomizer 100 comprising an injection stem for producing fourth type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications to the disclosure, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are deemed to be a part of this disclosure.

[0024] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0025] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

[0026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or a method. Similarly, one or more elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements, other structures, other components, additional devices, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The components, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0028] While aspects of proposed disclosure may be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary environment.

[0029] The present disclosure relates to a co-axial and co-swirl hybrid airblast atomizer (hereafter referred to as atomizer) for producing different spray patterns. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the atomizer comprises three hollow cylinders, a first hollow cylinder, a second hollow cylinder and a third hollow cylinder, in pipe-in-pipe arrangement, and a nozzle cap having one or more orifices is detachably attached to the outer cylinder (the third cylinder). Said arrangement provides three paths, a first path being a hollow space of the first hollow cylinder (inner), a second path being a first annular space between the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder, and a third path being a second annular space between the second hollow cylinder and the third hollow cylinder, for three fluids, a first fluid, a second fluid and a third fluid respectively. The fluids passing through the three paths mix in a chamber provided by the nozzle cap and exit through one or more orifices. During the operation, based on the requirement of the spray pattern, one or more fluids are passed through the respective paths for exiting through one or more orifices. The structure of the atomizer and the manner in which the atomizer produces different spray patterns is described in detail further below.

[0030] Figure 1A illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary atomizer for producing different spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1B illustrates exploded longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1C illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to the Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, the atomizer 100 comprises a first end 105, a second end 110, a first hollow cylinder 115, a second hollow cylinder 120, a third hollow cylinder 125 and a nozzle cap 130. As shown, the first hollow cylinder 115 comprises an axial inlet 135 at the second end 110 of the atomizer for allowing a first fluid to enter the hollow space of the first hollow cylinder 115. Further, the first hollow cylinder 115 comprises an exit 140 for exiting the first fluid entering the first hollow cylinder 115.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second hollow cylinder 120, having a larger diameter than the first hollow cylinder 115, is coaxially arranged with the first hollow cylinder 115 as shown. The co-axial arrangement forms a first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second hollow cylinder 120 comprises a first radial inlet 150 for allowing a second fluid to enter the first annular space 145, and an exit 155 for exiting the second fluid entering the first annular space 145. The first radial inlet 150 is located proximal to the second end 110 of the atomizer 100 as shown. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, helical grooves are formed on the outer surface of the first hollow cylinder 115 at the first end such that the second fluid entering the first annular space 145 exits through the helical grooves. In other words, the exit 155 comprises helical grooves through which the second fluid exits from the first annular space 145. Figure 2 illustrates the first hollow cylinder 115 with helical grooves in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the first hollow cylinder 115 comprises helical grooves 140 on the outer surface and at the first end of the atomizer 100. Alternatively, a ring having inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first hollow cylinder 115 and having outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the second hollow cylinder 115 and having helical grooves on the outer surface is fixed in the first annular space 145 at the first end 105. In such an implementation, threaded profiles are formed for fixing the ring on the first hollow cylinder 115.

[0032] Referring back to Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, the third hollow cylinder 125, having a larger diameter than the second hollow cylinder 120, is co-axially arranged with the second hollow cylinder 120 as shown. The co-axial arrangement forms a second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the third hollow cylinder 125 comprises second radial inlet 165 for allowing third fluid to enter the second annular space 160, and an exit 170 for exiting the third fluid entering the second annular space 160. The second radial inlet 165 is located proximal to the second end 110 of the atomizer 100 as shown. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of vanes are formed on the inner surface of the third hollow cylinder 125 at the first end such that the third fluid entering the second annular space 160 exits through the plurality of vanes. In other words, the exit 170 comprises the plurality of vanes through which the second fluid exits from the second annular space 160, and the plurality of vanes produce acts as a fluid swirler. Alternatively, a ring having a plurality of vanes is fixed to the third hollow cylinder 125, wherein the plurality of vanes forms the exit for third fluid entering the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125. The plurality of vanes provides swirling motion to the fluid. It is to be noted that any know structure may be used for providing swirling motion.

[0033] Figure 3A and 3B illustrates a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the nozzle cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Now referring to Figure 1A, 1B, 3A and 3B, the nozzle cap 130 is detachably attached to the third hollow cylinder 125 at the first end of the atomizer 100. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle cap 130 includes a threaded profile 300 on its inner surface that enables the nozzle cap 130 to screw and engage on the outer threaded profile of the third hollow cylinder 125. The nozzle cap 130 provides a hollow chamber 305 for mixing of the first, second and third fluids exiting from first hollow cylinder 115, the first annular space 145 and the second annular space 160. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzle cap 130 comprises one or more orifices 310 (shown one in Figure 3A and 3B) of pre-determined diameter through which the mixed fluids spray exits from the atomizer 100. As described, the nozzle cap 130 is detachable from the atomizer 100 and hence nozzle cap having one or more orifices may be used depending on the application requirement.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first end of the first hollow cylinder 115 is offset rearwards relative to the first end of the second hollow cylinder 120 as shown in Figure 1C. Alternatively, the first end of the first hollow cylinder 115 is coplanar with the first end of the second hollow cylinder 120. Further it is to be noted that the atomizer 100 disclosed in the present disclosure may be machined and manufactured for different dimensions based on the applications. Also, the material for manufacturing may be selected based on the fluid properties, operating temperature and the environment surrounding the atomizer, etc. By the way of examples, the atomizer may be the material may include but not limited to ceramic, metals such as stainless steel, brass, nickel alloys, etc.

[0035] As described, the first hollow cylinder 115 provides a path for the first fluid, the first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 provides a path for the second fluid, and the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125 provides a path for the third fluid. That is, the first fluid entering first hollow cylinder 115 from the axial inlet 135 exits through the exit 140, the second fluid entering the first annular space 145 from the first radial inlet 150 exits through the exit 155 (the helical grooves), and the third fluid entering the second annular space 160 from the second radial inlet 165 exits through the exit 170 (the plurality of vanes). In order to produce different spray patterns, the three fluids are passed in different combinations. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for atomizing the first fluid, the second fluid, the third fluid, or combinations thereof using the atomizer 100, the atomizer having the first end 105 and the second end 110 distal to the first end 105, the first hollow cylinder 115, the second hollow cylinder 120 coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the first hollow cylinder 115, the third hollow cylinder 125 coaxial with and having larger diameter than the second hollow cylinder 120, and the nozzle cap 130 detachably attached to the third hollow cylinder 125 at the first end 105, the method comprises, passing the second fluid through the first annular space 160 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 through the first radial inlet 150 located proximal to the second end 110 to exit at the first end 105. This produces a hollow cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the hollow cone spray pattern having medium spray angle and low droplet velocity.

[0036] The method further includes the step of passing the first fluid through the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115 at the second end 110 to exit at the first end 105, passing the third fluid through the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125 through the second radial inlet 165 located proximal to the second end 110 to exit through the plurality of vanes at the first end 105, or through both the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115 and through the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125. By passing the second pressurized fluid through the first annular space 145 and passing the first pressurized fluid through the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 135, the atomizer 100 produces a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having narrow spray angle and high droplet velocity. Further, by passing the second fluid through the first annular space 145 and passing the third fluid through the second annular space 160, the atomizer 100 produces a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle and low droplet velocity. Furthermore, by passing the second fluid through the first annular space 145 and passing the first fluid through both the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115 and third fluid through the second annular space 160, the atomizer 100 produces a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at the spray axis and low droplet velocity at the spray periphery. The manner in which the different spray patterns are produced is described in detail further below.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid is a pressurized air, the second fluid is a pressurized liquid fuel and the third fluid is a pressurized air. However, other combinations may be used for producing different spray patterns, for example liquid fuel may be passed through the inner hollow cylinder 115 and the first annular space 145, and air may be passed through the second annular space 160, with different fluid flow rate and air flow rate. It is to be noted that the pressure level and volume flow rates of the first fluid, the second fluid and the third fluid may be same or different depending on the required spray pattern. In one example, the first fluid is considered as pressurized air, the second fluid as pressurized fuel and the third fluid as pressurized air, and the manner different spray patterns are produced is described in detail further below.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a hollow cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressurized fuel (second fluid) is passed through the first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 through the first radial inlet 150. The flow of pressurized liquid fuel is indicated in white arrow 400 in Figure 4. The pressurized liquid fuel passing through the first annular space 145 exits through the helical grooves (the exit 155) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130. The pressurized liquid fuel then exits the atomizer 100 through the orifice 310 forming the hollow cone spray pattern, the hollow cone spray pattern having medium spray angle and low droplet velocity. Such a spray pattern produces radially spread flame with hollow core and short flame length.

[0039] Figure 5 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a first type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In order to produce the first type of solid cone spray pattern, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressurized liquid fuel (second fluid) is passed through the first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 through the first radial inlet 150. Simultaneously, a pressurized air (the first fluid) is passed into the first hollow cylinder 115 through the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115. The pressurized liquid fuel passing through the first annular space 145 exits through the helical grooves (the exit 155) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, the pressurized air passing through the first hollow cylinder 115 exits through the exit 140 into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, and both the pressurized liquid fuel and the pressurized air mix in the hollow chamber 305. The flow of pressurized liquid fuel is indicated by the solid white arrow 500 and the pressurized air flow is indicated by the dotted while arrow 505 in Figure 5. The interaction of the pressurized air and the pressurized liquid fuel from the helical grooves in the hollow chamber 305 facilitates breakage of the injected fuel into tiny droplets and the droplets exiting from the orifice 310 of the nozzle cap 130 produces the first type of solid cone spray pattern, the first type of solid cone spray pattern having a narrow spray angle and a high droplet velocity. Such a spray pattern produces a narrow and long flame with a solid core.

[0040] Figure 6 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a second type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In order to produce the second type of solid cone spray pattern, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressurized liquid fuel (second fluid) is passed through the first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 through the first radial inlet 150. Simultaneously, pressurized air (the third fluid) is passed through the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125 through the second radial inlet 165. The pressurized liquid fuel passing through the first annular space 145 exits through the helical grooves (the exit 155) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, the pressurized air passing through the second annular space exits through the plurality of vanes (the exit 170) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, and both the pressurized liquid fuel and the pressurized air mix in the hollow chamber 305. The flow of pressurized liquid fuel is indicated by the solid white arrow 600 and the pressurized air flow is indicated by the dotted white arrow 605 in Figure 6. The interaction of the pressurized air exiting through plurality of vanes (air swirl) and the pressurized liquid fuel from the helical grooves in the hollow chamber 305 facilitates breakage of the injected fuel into tiny droplets and the droplets exiting from the orifice 310 of the nozzle cap 130 produces the second type of solid cone spray pattern, the second type of solid cone spray pattern having a wide spray angle and a low droplet velocity. Such a spray pattern produces spread-out, short flame with a solid core.

[0041] Figure 7 illustrates fluid flow in the atomizer 100 for producing a third type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In order to produce the third type of solid cone spray pattern, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressurized liquid fuel (second fluid) is passed through the first annular space 145 between the first hollow cylinder 115 and the second hollow cylinder 120 through the first radial inlet 150. Simultaneously, pressurized air (the first fluid) is passed into the first hollow cylinder 115 through the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115, and pressurized air (the third fluid) is passed through the second annular space 160 between the second hollow cylinder 120 and the third hollow cylinder 125 through the second radial inlet 165. The pressurized liquid fuel passing through the first annular space 145 exits through the helical grooves (the exit 155) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, as indicated by the solid white line 700. The pressurized air passing through the first hollow cylinder 115 exits through the exit 140 into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, as indicated by the dotted white line 705, and the pressurized air passing through the second annular space 160 exits through the plurality of vanes (the exit 170) into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, as indicated by the white dotted line 710. The pressurized liquid fuel, the pressurized air exiting from the hollow cylinder 115 and the pressurized air exiting from the plurality of vanes 170 mix in the hollow chamber 305, and the interaction of the three fluids facilitates breakage of the injected fuel into tiny droplets and the droplets exiting from the orifice 310 of the nozzle cap 130 produces the third type of solid cone spray pattern, the solid cone spray pattern having a wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at the spray axis and low droplet velocity at the spray periphery. Such a spray pattern produces a spread out, long flame with a solid core.

[0042] As described, the atomizer 100 may be used for producing four different spray patterns based on the required flame geometry by passing the three fluids in different combinations. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an injection stem is disposed inside the first hollow cylinder 115 at the second end of the atomizer 100. Figure 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the atomizer comprising an injection stem for producing fourth type of solid cone spray pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, an injection stem 800 is disposed inside the first hollow cylinder 115 at the second end of the atomizer 100. In one embodiment, the injection stem 800 is a detachable piece that contains the required orifices for liquid or gas injection. Further, the injection stem 800 may contain passages that might be utilized in providing swirl to the injected fluid. In order to produce the fourth type of solid cone spray pattern, a liquid fuel (first fluid) is passed into the first hollow cylinder 115 through the axial inlet 135 of the first hollow cylinder 115, and pressurized air is passed through the second annular space 160 through the second axial inlet 165 at the second end 110 of the atomizer 100. The flow of liquid fuel inside the first hollow cylinder 115 is indicated by a solid white line 805, and the pressurized air flow through the second annular space 160 is indicated by a dotted white line 810. The liquid fuel exits through one or more orifices 815 of the injection stem 800 into the hollow chamber 305 of the nozzle cap 130, the pressurized air exits through the plurality of vanes 170 into the hollow chamber 305. The interaction of the pressurized liquid fuel and the pressurized air from the plurality vanes facilitates breakage of the injected fuel into tiny droplets and the droplets exiting from the orifice 310 of the nozzle cap 130 produces the fourth type of solid cone spray pattern, the fourth type of solid cone spray pattern having a narrow spray angle with high droplet velocity. Such a spray pattern produces a narrow and long flame with a solid core.

[0043] As described, the atomizer 100 disclosed in the present disclosure is configured for producing different spray patterns and flame geometries based on the application requirement. Below table lists the exemplary combination of fluids for producing different types of spray patterns in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Sprayed Content Spray Pattern Flame Geometry
Pressurized liquid (second fluid) through the first annular space 145 Hollow cone spray with medium spray angle with low droplet velocity Radially spread flame with a hollow core, short flame length
Pressurized Liquid (second fluid) through the first annular space 145 + Pressurized Air (first fluid) through Axial Inlet 135 Solid cone spray with a narrow spray angle with high droplet velocity Narrow flame with solid core, long flame length
Pressurized Liquid (second fluid) through the first annular space 145 + Pressurized Air (third fluid) through second annular space 160 (swirl air) Solid cone spray with wide spray angle with low droplet velocity Spread out flame with a solid core, short flame length
Pressurized Liquid (second fluid) through the first annular space 145 + Pressurized Air (first fluid) through Axial Inlet 135 + Pressurized Air (third fluid) through second annular space 160 (swirl air) Solid cone spray with wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at the spray axis and low droplet velocity at the spray periphery Spread out flame with a solid core, long flame length
Pressurized Liquid (first fluid) through the injection stem 800 + Pressurized Air (third fluid) through second annular space 160 (swirl air) Solid cone with narrow spray angle with high droplet velocity Narrow flame with solid core, long flame length

[0044] The atomizer 100 (co-axial and co-swirl hybrid airblast atomizer) disclosed in the present disclosure improves the versatility of generating different spray patterns by combining axial and swirl airflow. The atomizer 100 can be used in different applications including but not limited to industrial furnace burners, gas turbines, rocket engines and cold sprays, etc.

[0045] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the atomizer in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. For example, the diameter and dimension of the three hollow cylinders 115, 120 and 125 may be altered. The helical grooves shape, the plurality of vanes shape, swirl angle, and number of orifices may be altered in various other embodiments. The nozzle cap 130 orifice diameter may vary depending on the need. The nozzle cap 130 shape can be changed. The first hollow cylinder 115 may be used for liquid flow instead of airflow. The first annular space 145 may be used for airflow instead of liquid flow in such a scenario. Further, fluid pressure level and volume flow rates may be varied based on the required spray pattern and flame geometry.

[0046] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0047] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An atomizer (100) for atomizing a fluid, the atomizer (100) comprising:
a second end (110) distal to a first end (105);
a first hollow cylinder (115) comprising an axial inlet (135) for a first fluid, the axial inlet (135) being located at the second end (110), and an exit (140) for the first fluid located at the first end (105);
a second hollow cylinder (120), coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the first hollow cylinder (115), forming a first annular space (145) between the first hollow cylinder (115) and the second hollow cylinder (120), and comprising a first radial inlet (150) proximal to the second end (110) for allowing a second fluid to enter the first annular space (145) and comprising an exit (155) for the second fluid at the first end (105);
a third hollow cylinder (125), coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the second hollow cylinder (120), forming a second annular space (160) between the second hollow cylinder (120) and the third hollow cylinder (125) and comprising a second radial inlet (165) proximal to the second end (110) for allowing a third fluid to enter the second annular space (160) and comprising an exit (170) for the third fluid at the first end (105) through a plurality of vanes; and
a nozzle cap (130) detachably attached to the third hollow cylinder (125) at the first end (105), wherein the nozzle cap (130) comprises a hollow chamber (305) and one or more orifices (310), and configured to exit the first fluid, the second fluid, the third fluid, or combinations thereof through the one or more orifices (310).

2. The atomizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atomizer (100) comprises helical grooves on an outer surface of the first hollow cylinder (115) at the first end (105).

3. The atomizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes is formed between the second hollow cylinder (120) and the third hollow cylinder (125) at the first end (105).

4. The atomizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atomizer (100) is configured for producing, a hollow cone spray pattern having medium spray angle and low droplet velocity, a solid cone spray pattern having narrow spray angle and high droplet velocity, a solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle and low droplet velocity, a solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at a spray axis and low droplet velocity at a spray periphery.

5. The atomizer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first hollow cylinder (115) comprises an injection stem (800) disposed at the first end (105).

6. The atomizer (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the atomizer (100) is configured for producing a solid cone spray pattern having narrow spray angle and high droplet velocity.

7. A method for atomizing a first fluid, a second fluid, a third fluid, or combinations thereof using an atomizer (100), the atomizer having a first end (105) and a second end (110) distal to the first end (105), a first hollow cylinder (115), a second hollow cylinder (120) coaxial with and having a larger diameter than the first hollow cylinder (115), a third hollow cylinder (125) coaxial with and having larger diameter than the second hollow cylinder (120), and a nozzle cap (130) detachably attached to the third hollow cylinder (125) at the first end (105), the method comprising:
passing the second fluid through a first annular space (160) between the first hollow cylinder (115) and the second hollow cylinder (120) through a first radial inlet (150) located proximal to a second end (110) to exit at the first end (105).

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, the method comprises passing the first fluid through an axial inlet (135) of the first hollow cylinder (115) at the second end (110) to exit at the first end (105), passing the third fluid through a second annular space (160) between the second hollow cylinder (120) and the third hollow cylinder (125) through a second radial inlet (165) located proximal to the second end (110) to exit through a plurality of vanes at a first end (105), or through both the axial inlet (135) of the first hollow cylinder (115) and through the second annular space (160) between the second hollow cylinder (120) and the third hollow cylinder (125).

9. The method as claimed 7, wherein the second fluid is liquid fuel.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein first fluid and the third fluid is air having same or different pressure levels and volume flow rates.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising forming a hollow cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the hollow cone spray pattern having medium spray angle and low droplet velocity, by passing the second fluid through the first annular space (145).

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising forming a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having narrow spray angle and high droplet velocity, by passing the second pressurized fluid through the first annular space (145) and passing the first pressurized fluid through the axial inlet (135) of the first hollow cylinder (135).

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising forming a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle and low droplet velocity, by passing the second fluid through the first annular space (145) and passing the third fluid through the second annular space (160).

14. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising forming a solid cone spray pattern of the second fluid, the solid cone spray pattern having wide spray angle with high droplet velocity at the spray axis and low droplet velocity at the spray periphery, by passing the second fluid through the first annular space (145) and passing the first fluid through both the axial inlet (135) of the first hollow cylinder (115) and third fluid through the second annular space (160).