Features of water droplet deformation during motion in a gaseous medium under conditions of moderate and high temperatures

Using cross-correlation video recording facilities, the features of deformation of water droplets with characteristic dimensions of $3$–$6$ mm are studied experimentally during their motion in a high temperature (about $1100$ K) gaseous medium (in combustion products) with velocities of up to $5$ m/s. In addition, experiments for water droplets moving with identical initial velocities and dimensions in air at moderate (about $300$ K) air temperatures are carried out. Typical shapes of droplets and cyclical character of their variation during motion in the considered gaseous media are established. The numerical values of the main characteristics of the isolated “deformation cycles” (amplitude, times, and durations) are determined, and their susceptibility to high temperatures of the gaseous medium, droplet dimensions, and droplet motion velocities is revealed.