Secondary breakup of drops at moderate Weber numbers: Effect of Density ratio and Reynolds number

Abstract

Breakup of liquid drops occurs in several natural and industrial settings. Fully resolved Volume of Fluid based simulations presented in this study reveal the complete flow physics and droplet dynamics that lead to the breakup of a drop in a particular mode. We have investigated the effects of density ratio and Reynolds number on the dynamics of drop deformation and subsequent breakup. A density ratio-Weber number phase plot is presented that indicates the variation in the deformation of the drop at various density ratios and Weber numbers. We show that the breakup dynamics of the droplets at low density ratios is significantly different to that observed at high density ratios. We also study the temporal characteristics of the droplet deformation and motion.