Water-sparged aerocyclone (WSA) is a new type of high efficient gas-liquid mass transfer reaction equipment. The gas phase pressure drop characteristics

liquid phase reflux ratio and jet atomization process in the WSA were better simulated using the Reynolds stress model (RSM) and the multiphase flow model of volume of fluid (VOF). The mechanism of jet atomization process in the WSA was also discussed in detail. Both simulation and experiment results illustrated that the gas phase pressure drop of WSA will go through a low pressure drop zone

a pressure drop jump zone

a pressure drop transitional zone and a high pressure drop zone with the increase of gas inlet velocity. The determination method of a turning point between two adjacent pressure drop areas was given. The water jet presents steady jet

deformation and bag-like breakup

bag-like breakup and shear atomization

shear atomization and liquid drop centrifugation

respectively

in the above-mentioned pressure drop areas. The water jet in the WSA was fully atomized and the mass transfer interface between gas and liquid phases was maximized when the gas phase inlet velocity reached the turning point between the pressure drop transitional area and the high pressure drop area. The results could be used as a theoretic basis for establishing a adjusting method for jet atomization and flow field in the WSA.