Phase Doppler Interferometer (PDI)

These instruments are used in the spray community to provide the highest resolution data for both academic and industrial investigations. Examples of past projects using the phase Doppler analyzers at Spraying Systems Co. include detailed prototype nozzle analysis for the aerospace industry, and process optimization using nozzles in a cross-flow environment.

• Prototype Nozzle Assessment
  An aerospace engineering company contacted Spraying Systems Co. and was interested in spraying a liquid material at a specified flow rate. There were specific requirements for drop size and volume distribution. After modifying a standard Spraying Systems Co. nozzle design, the prototype nozzle was tested for drop size distribution at many locations within the spray pattern. These tests confirmed the spray was uniformly distributed, and validated the mean and maximum drop size characteristics.

• Cross-flow Spray Trajectory
  In order to provide detailed validation data for spray simulations, Spraying Systems Co. acquired detailed drop size, velocity and volume distribution measurements using a standard nozzle at various angles in a wind tunnel. The PDI results allowed validation of detailed simulations at laboratory conditions. The simulations were then performed at increased temperatures and pressures that matched the customer’s process parameters.

The phase Doppler instrument’s laser transmitter unit emits two coherent laser beams of the same wavelength (color). At the intersection of these lasers, an interference pattern is formed by the constructive and destructive interference of the two lasers, and a known interference wave frequency is generated. A droplet, acting like a prism, refracts this interference pattern, and it is detected by the phase Doppler instrument’s receiver-unit and analyzed to determine the droplet characteristics. 

The frequency shift of the predetermined interference pattern is proportional to the droplet’s velocity; this method is commonly known as Laser Doppler Velocimetry, or LDV. Also, there are three detectors within the phase Doppler instrument’s receiver unit that detect the interference burst pattern; the relative phase shift of this signal at each of the detectors is proportional to the droplet diameter. The phase Doppler instruments count and analyze each interference pattern as it is detected, and thus characterize each individual droplet that enters the probe volume formed by the intersecting laser beams; this is a flux-sampling method.

In conjunction with the PDPA, PDI instruments provide data with the highest spatial resolution, generate a unique combination of output variables, and sample each droplet to provide flux measurements. The unmatched range of output spray characteristics and the accuracy of the measurement make the instruments capable of providing the most detailed measurements within a spray. The high-powered lasers allow measurement within a light to medium level of spray droplet density, and allow the characterization of points within the spray pattern without a loss in accuracy due to droplets entering the laser beams outside of the laser-intersection region. 

However, due to these unique benefits, the measurement time is increased to allow multiple points to be measured within the spray pattern, and to allow extended data analysis, which is often required to process the results into actionable data.