Dynamics of bouncing-versus-merging response in jet collision

Area of Science:

• Fluid Dynamics
• Multiphase Flow
• Surface Physics

Background:

• Jet collisions are fundamental phenomena in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Previous studies identified soft merging, bouncing, and hard merging as primary outcomes based on impact inertia.
• The full spectrum of jet collision dynamics, especially oblique impacts, remained incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize a new regime of oblique jet collision.
• To complete the classification of jet collision outcomes, including soft merging, bouncing, and hard merging.
• To elucidate the influence of impact angle and fluid properties on collision dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Experimental observation of oblique jet collisions.
• Characterization using scaling analysis.
• Analysis of competing factors: impact inertia, surface tension, and viscous air gap thinning.

Main Results:

• A novel regime of oblique jet collision was identified, characterized by low impact inertia and jet merging via bridge formation.
• This new regime fills the gap, establishing a complete suite of collision outcomes.
• Collision outcomes demonstrably depend on impact angle, liquid properties, and inertia.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a comprehensive understanding of jet collision regimes.
• Scaling analysis reveals the critical interplay between inertia, surface tension, and viscosity in determining collision outcomes.
• Findings provide a framework for predicting and controlling jet collision behavior in diverse applications.