Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Global characteristics of low-flow-rate aviation fuel sprays by image processing

  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Spray characteristics should be measured to understand fluid atomization. In this study, we investigated the atomization of kerosene fuel with low-flow-rate injectors in small rotary engines by use of optical diagnostic methods. Laser sheet scattering imaging and long-range microscopy were used to produce images of fuel sprays with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Digital image processing techniques were implemented to acquire the macroscopic characteristics of JP-8 jet fuel, such as tip penetration, droplet density distribution, and spray sheet profile. The effect of line pressure and Length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio on the global characteristics of the spray for two nozzles fitted on a high-frequency micro-dispensing system was also explored. The fuel injector was designed for low-flow-rate, low-pressure (less than 10 bar) applications. The local velocity of the fuel droplets was also measured by Particle image velocimetry (PIV). Results show that the decrease in L/D ratio increases average velocity, spray sheet area, and angle. This effect becomes noticeable as the spray jet penetrates further downstream from the nozzle exit, except for tip velocity which drops quickly after the end of the injection pulse especially at high pressure levels. Small droplet diameters are produced in the case of low L/D ratio and high line pressure. According to the PIV test, a connection exists between the tip velocity and velocity components at the central jet.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. Crua, M. R. Heikal and M. R. Gold, Microscopic imaging of the initial stage of diesel spray formation, Fuel, 157 (2015) 140–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Q. Dong, T. Ishima, H. Kawashima and W. Long, A study on the spray characteristics of a piezo pintle-type injector for DI gasoline engines, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 27 (7) (2013) 1981–1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. M. Costa, U. Sorge and L. Allocca, Increasing energy efficiency of a gasoline direct injection engine through optimal synchronization of single or double injection strategies, Energy Conversion and Management, 60 (2012) 77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. H. Hiroyasu and M. Arai, Structures of fuels sprays in diesel engines, SAE Technical Paper 900475 (1990).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. R. Payri et al., The effect of nozzle geometry over the evaporative spray formation for three different fuels, Fuel (188) (2017) 645–660.

    Google Scholar 

  6. R. Payri, J. P. Viera, V. Gopalakrishnan and P. G. Szymkowicz, The effect of nozzle geometry over internal flow and spray formation for three different fuels, Fuel, 183 (2016) 20–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. V. N. Lad and Z. V. P. Murthy, Effects of the geometric orientations of the nozzle exit on the breakup of free liquid jet, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 30 (4) (2016) 1625–1630.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. S. H. Yoon, D. Y. Kim, D. K. Kim and B. H. Kim, Effect of nozzle geometry for swirl type twin-fluid water mist nozzle on the spray characteristic, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 25 (7) (2011) 1761–1766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Z. Liu et al., Near-nozzle structure of diesel sprays affected by internal geometry of injector nozzle: Visualized by single-shot X-ray imaging, SAE Technical Paper 2010-01-0877 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. S. Han, P. H. Lu, X. B. Xie, M. C. Lai and N. A. Henein, Investigation of diesel spray primary break-up and development for different nozzle geometries, SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-27 (2002).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  11. P. C. Chen et al., Spray and atomization of diesel fuel and its alternatives from a single-hole injector using a common rail fuel injection system, Fuel, 103 (2013) 850–861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. E. Delacourt, B. Desmet and B. Besson, Characterisation of very high pressure diesel sprays using digital imaging techniques, Fuel, 84 (7) (2005) 859–867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. H. K. Suh and C. S. Lee, Effect of cavitation in nozzle orifice on the diesel fuel atomization characteristics, Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow, 29 (4) (2008) 1001–1009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. M. Blessing, G. König, C. Krüger, U. Michels and V. Schwarz, Analysis of flow and cavitation phenomena in diesel injection nozzles and its effects on spray and mixture formation, SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-1358 (2003).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  15. J. D. Naber and D. L. Siebers, Effects of gas density and vaporization on penetration and dispersion of diesel sprays, Transactions of the SAE 960034 (1996).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  16. A. S. Harris et al., Effect of viscosity on particle size, deposition, and clearance of nasal delivery systems containing desmopressin, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77 (5) (1988) 405–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Arai et al., Disintegrating process and spray characterization of fuel jet injected by a diesel nozzle, SAE Technical Paper, No. 840275 (1984).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  18. A. Lefebvre, Atomization and sprays, CRC Press, 1040 (2756) (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  19. R. Payri, J. M. Garcia-Oliver, M. Bardi and J. Manin, Fuel temperature influence on diesel sprays in inert and reacting conditions, Applied Thermal Engineering, 35 (2012) 185–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. J. Yeom, Diagnosis of the behavior characteristics of the evaporative diesel spray by using images analysis, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 22 (9) (2008) 1785–1792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. I. C. Lee, Y. S. Kang, H. J. Moon, S. P. Jang, J. K. Kim and J. Koo, Spray jet penetration and distribution of modulated liquid jets in subsonic cross-flows, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 24 (7) (2010) 1425–1431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. A. Ghurri et al., Qualitative and quantitative analysis of spray characteristics of diesel and biodiesel blend on common-rail injection system, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 25 (4) (2011) 885–893.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. J. Shao and Y. Yan, Digital imaging based measurement of diesel spray characteristics, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 57 (9) (2009) 2067–2073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. K. Kim et al., Spray and combustion characteristics of gasoline and diesel in a direct injection compression ignition engine, Fuel, 109 (2013) 616–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. J. M. Nouri and J. H. Whitelaw, Spray characteristics of a gasoline direct injector with short durations of injection, Experiments in Fluids, 31 (4) (2001) 377–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. R. Zakaria, P. Bryanston-Cross and B. Timmerman, Spray development process of aviation fuel using a low-pressure fuel injector: Visualization and analysis, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 28 (12) (2014) 5003–5011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. J. Yang and O. Lim, An investigation of the spray characteristics of diesel-DME blended fuel with variation of ambient pressure in a constant volume combustion chamber, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 28 (12) (2014) 2363–2368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. S. Y. Lee and Y. D. Kim, Sizing of spray particles using image processing technique, KSME International Journal, 18 (6) (2004) 879–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. R. Zakaria, P. Bryanston-Cross and S. Addy, Optical diagnostics in high-speed fuel spray; methodology and analysis, Photonics (ICP), 2010 International Conference on. IEEE (2010) 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  30. P. W. Tu et al., Numerical investigation of GDI injector nozzle geometry on spray characteristics, SAE Technical Paper No. 2015-01-1906 (2015).

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical System Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, 136-792, Korea

    Rami Zakaria

Authors
  1. Rami Zakaria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rami Zakaria.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Sangyoup Lee

Rami Zakaria (Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Eng.) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical System Engineering in Hansung University, South Korea. He received his Ph.D. on experimental fluid mechanics using optical methods from the University of Warwick, UK in 2013. His research interests include fuel atomization, fluid visualization, particle image velocimetry, combustion, rotary engines, and optical technology.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zakaria, R. Global characteristics of low-flow-rate aviation fuel sprays by image processing. J Mech Sci Technol 31, 4267–4273 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-0825-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-0825-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation