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Drop model for continuous milli‐beads production
Author(s) -
Stelian Carmen,
Nehari Abdeldjelil,
Lebbou Kheirreddine,
Duffar Thierry
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
crystal research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.377
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1521-4079
pISSN - 0232-1300
DOI - 10.1002/crat.201700037
Subject(s) - drop (telecommunication) , mechanics , nozzle , capillary action , spinning drop method , materials science , spheres , composite material , mechanical engineering , pressure drop , physics , engineering , astronomy
Production of solid spheres from droplet solidification is gaining more and more interest, but needs a careful control of the drop diameter. The technique of dropping liquid alumina from a nozzle is used for processing the starting materials which are filling the crucibles in sapphire crystal growth technology. In the present work, experimental, theoretical and numerical analysis is carried out in order to describe the time evolution of the drop formation from a capillary tube. The main goal of this study is to develop a physical model able to explain the dynamics of drop formation, with application in drop weight method and production of small alumina balls. A new formula predicting the volume of falling drops is derived from the force balance at the instant of drop detachment. The theoretical predictions are compared to present numerical computations and experimental results of alumina milli‐beads production. Based on this model, the crucible and capillary tube geometries and the process parameters can be designed in order to get continuous production of reproducible droplets for mass production.