Evaluation of the atomization characteristics of aviation fuels with different viscosities using a pressure swirl atomizer. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dafsari, Reza Alidoost; Lee, Hyung Ju; Han, Jeongsik; Lee, Jeekeun
• Is Part Of: International journal of heat and mass transfer. Volume 145(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Aviation fuel -- Fuel physical properties -- High viscosity fuel -- Laser diagnostic -- Low-temperature fuel -- Pressure swirl atomizer -- Spray atomization characteristics; Heat -- Transmission -- Periodicals; Mass transfer -- Periodicals; Chaleur -- Transmission -- Périodiques; Transfert de masse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.4022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.118704
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9310

Abstract

Highlights: Spray characteristics of four aviation fuels were compared. A higher viscosity diminishes the centrifugal force and increases the hydraulic resistance. Both Pinj and ν significantly affect the spray development and structure. A higher Pinj and lower ν shortened the breakup length leading to smaller droplets. The distribution of the diameter showed a broader range at higher viscosity values. SMD was correlated with fuel physical properties. Abstract: With advances in the fuel spray field, much attention has been paid to the atomization characteristics of aviation fuels. The physical properties of fuels play a vital role in their resulting spray structure and spatial distribution of droplets. These characteristics are becoming more important for choosing alternative fuels for optimal performance in next-generation gas turbines. The current study experimentally investigated the atomization quality and spray structure of aviation fuels with different viscosities sprayed through a pressure swirl-type nozzle by employing laser diagnostics. A set of CCD cameras synchronized to the Nd:YAG laser characterized the spray structure, and the size and velocity of the drops were quantified by the phase Doppler technique. The fuels were tested under various temperature and injection pressure conditions. An alteration in both the injection pressure and the physical properties of the fuel were found to significantly dominate the spray structure and atomization quality. The transitional development of hollow-conical sprays was shown to require a sufficient amount of swirl intensity, characterized by their physical properties and injection pressure. Fuels with a lower viscosity were experimentally found to generate well-developed hollow-conical sprays with finer drops, wide distribution in size, and higher velocity components, which are recognized as ideal spray properties in the combustion field.