Analysis of viscous fluid flow in a pressure-swirl atomizer using large-eddy simulation

•Numerical investigation of a large-scale, asymmetric pressure-swirl atomizer.•The simulations include inner nozzle flow and the onset of liquid film instability.•Various nozzle operation modes revealed by a Reynolds number sweep.•Liquid sheet types characterized for different Reynolds numbers.•Rich physics include vortex core, Dean vortices, sheet flapping and breakup.