Role of dilute oil-in-water emulsion in the destabilization mechanism of a liquid sheet
Résumé
Pesticide spraying in agriculture involves atomizing a liquid stream through a hydraulic nozzle. The spray droplets results from the destabilization of a liquid sheet formed by the nozzle. Standard pesticide solution adjuvants as dilute solution of long polymer chains or dilute emulsions are known to influence the spray drop size distribution. Although being documented, these effects are not understood yet. In order to elucidate the physical mechanisms at the origin of the change on the drop size distribution, we investigate the influence of different complex fluids on the destabilization mechanisms of liquid sheets. We here form liquid sheets by the collision of a liquid drop on a small solid target. Upon impact, the drop flattens into a radial sheet expanding in the air bounded by a thicker rim.