Atomization and Evaporation: Understanding the Energy Exchange

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    Evaporation
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy exchange involved in the atomization of liquids and the phase change from liquid to gas. Participants explore the implications of forcing a liquid through a small hole and how this process relates to heat transfer and energy requirements for vaporization.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether atomizing a liquid through a small hole draws the same amount of heat from the surroundings as vaporization does.
  • Another participant explains that when liquid flows through a hole with a pressure drop, heat is released in the fluid, and this heat contributes to boiling the liquid, which is linked to the power supplied to the pump.
  • A clarification is sought regarding whether the volume mentioned refers to the liquid's volume before passing through the hole, suggesting that this is necessary for understanding the previous statement.
  • A subsequent response confirms that the volume in question is indeed that of the liquid, emphasizing the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy in the orifice, which results in a hotter liquid or vapor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the fundamental principles of hydraulics and energy conversion, but there is ongoing exploration regarding the specific heat exchange dynamics related to atomization versus vaporization.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the exact heat exchange mechanisms during atomization compared to vaporization, as well as the assumptions about the conditions under which these processes occur.

russellsh2
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Split from https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/steves-random-physics-questions.1051467/
Oh, also, I know that it takes a lot of energy to phase change a liquid to a gas, but what if you force the liquid through a small hole that atomizes the liquid. Does the atomized liquid draw the same amount of heat from the surrounding area as its forced to become steam?
 
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When you have a volume of liquid flow through a hole, with a pressure drop across the hole, heat is released in the fluid. The volume in metres cubed per second, multiplied by the pressure drop in pascals, gives the power in watts, or joules per second.

The heat that passes to, and boils the liquid, comes from the power supply to the pump that raised the pressure.
 
Baluncore said:
The volume in metres cubed per second,
Just a clarification please: Is that the volume of the liquid before passing thru the hole? It seems to be the only way that statement makes sense.
 
Tom.G said:
Is that the volume of the liquid before passing thru the hole?
Yes, the volume of liquid.
That is a fundamental of hydraulics.
The pressure in the liquid is potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy in the orifice, to become a hotter liquid and/or a vapour.
 
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