Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visualization of the evaporation of a diesel spray using combined Mie and Rayleigh scattering techniques

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Evaporating Diesel sprays are studied by laser Rayleigh scattering measurements in an optically accessible high-pressure/high-temperature cell that reproduces the thermodynamic conditions which exist in the combustion chamber of a Diesel engine during injection. n-Decane is injected into the vessel using a state-of-the-art near-production three-hole nozzle. Global images of the distributions of the liquid and vapor phases of the injected fuel are obtained using a combined Schlieren and Mie scattering setup. More details about the evaporation are revealed when the spray is illuminated by a laser light sheet: laser light can be scattered by molecules in the gas phase (Rayleigh scattering) or comparably large fuel droplets (Mie scattering). The former is seen in regions where the fuel has completely evaporated, and the latter is dominant in regions with high droplet concentrations. Studying the polarization of the signal light allows the distinction of three different regions in the spray that are characterized by a moderate, low or negligible concentration of liquid fuel droplets. The characteristics of fuel evaporation are investigated for different observation times after the start of injection, chamber conditions and injection pressures. For the quantification of the fuel concentration measurements based on Rayleigh scattering, a calibration method that uses propane as a reference gas is presented and tested. At high ambient temperatures, the accuracy of the concentration measurements is limited by pyrolysis of the fuel molecules.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arndt S, Gartung K, Pauer T, Zeh D, Brüggemann D, Egermann J, Ipp W, Wagner V, Leipertz A (2000) Analysis of high pressure sprays for Diesel and SI engines with direct fuel injection: evaluation of evaporation and spray induced turbulence—Part II: spray evaporation and quantification of the local fuel air ratio inside the spray. In: Proceedings of ILASS-Europe 2000

  • Bittlinger G, Heinold O, Hertlein D, Kunz T, Weberbauer F (2003) Die Einspritzdüsenkonfiguration als Mittel zur gezielten Beeinflussung der motorischen Gemischbildung und Verbrennung. In: Proceedings of the 6th conference on engine combustion processes and modern techniques, HdT, pp 19–30

  • Bruneaux G (2005) Mixing process in high pressure Diesel jets by normalized laser induced exciplex fluorescence—Part I: free jet, SAE Technical Paper Series 2005-01-2100

  • Eckbreth AC (1988) Laser diagnostics for combustion temperature and species, 2nd edn, Combustion science and technology book series, vol 3, Gordon and Breach Publishers

  • Enderle C, Nolte A, Paule M, Duvinage F (2004) Der PKW im Spannungsfeld der Emissionsgesetzgebung, 2. Emission Control, Dresden

  • Espey C, Dec J, Litzinger T, Santavicca D (1997) Planar laser Rayleigh Scattering for quantitative vapor-fuel imaging in a diesel jet. Combust Flame 109:65–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner WC, Hidaka Y, Tanzawa T (1981) Refractivity of combustion gases. Combust Flame 40:213–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harndorf H, Bittlinger G, Drewes V, Kunzi U (2002) Analysis of nozzle parameters and their influence on fuel mixture preparation in current and future diesel combustion systems. In: Proceedings of 5th international symposium on internal combustion diagnostics. AVL Deutschland GmbH

  • Idicheria CA, Pickett LM (2007) Quantitative mixing measurements in a vaporizing diesel spray by Rayleigh imaging, SAE Technical Paper Series 2007-01-0647

  • Khatchikian P, Harndorf H, Knopf M (2004) Dependence of the particle size distribution on the injection pressure of a modern diesel engine with a 1600 bar common-rail injection system. In: Proceedings of FISITA World Automotive Congress, Paper V027, 2004

  • Kim T, Ghandhi JB (2001) Quantitative 2-D fuel vapor concentration measurements in an evaporating diesel spray using the exciplex fluorescence method, SAE Technical Paper Series 2001-01-3495

  • Miles RB, Lempert WR, Forkey JM (2001) Laser Rayleigh scattering. Meas Sci Technol 12:R33–R51

    Google Scholar 

  • Partington JR (1953) An advanced treatise on physical chemistry, vol IV. Physico-Chemical Optics, Longmans, Green, London

  • Pauer T, Wirth R, Brüggemann D (1999) Zeitaufgelöste Analyse der DI-Dieselgemischbildung mittels kombinierter Schlieren-/Streulichttechnik. In: Proceedings of 4th conference on engine combustion processes and modern techniques, HdT

  • Payri F, Pastor JV, Pastor JM, Julia JE (2006) Diesel spray analysis by means of planar laser-induced exciplex fluorescence. Int J Eng Res 7:77–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redlich O, Kwong JNS (1949) On the thermodynamics of solution. V-An equation of state. Chem Rev 44:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz C, Sick V (2005) Tracer-LIF diagnostics: quantitative measurement of fuel concentration, temperature and air/fuel ratio in practical combustion situations. Progr Energy Combust Sci 31:75–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz C, Gronki J, Andersson S (2004) Multi-species laser-based imaging measurements in a Diesel spray, SAE Technical Paper Series 2004-01-1917

  • Soave J (1972) Equilibrium constants from a modified Redlich–Kwong equation of state. Chem Eng Sci 27:1197–1203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel AI (1946) Physical properties and chemical constitution of aliphatic hydrocarbons. J Chem Soc 9:133–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winter J, Dittus B, Kerst A, Muck O, Schulz R, Vogel A (2004) Nozzle hole geometry—a powerful instrument for advanced spray design. In: Proceedings of THIESEL Conference, Valencia

  • Zhao H, Ladommatos N (1998) Optical diagnostics for in-cylinder mixture formation measurements in IC engines. Progr Energy Combust Sci 24:297–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Z, Li J, Kazakov A, Dryer FL, Zeppieri SP (2005) Burning velocities and a high temperature skeletal kinetic model for n-decane. Combust Sci Tech 177:89–106

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The pyrolysis of n-decane was simulated by Mustapha Fikri from IVG, University of Duisburg-Essen. His support is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department CR/AEE3-Sh, Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert-Bosch-Platz 1, 70839, Gerlingen, Germany

    Anne Adam, Philippe Leick & Gerd Bittlinger

  2. Institute for Combustion and Gasdynamics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstraße 1, 47057, Duisburg, Germany

    Christof Schulz

Authors
  1. Anne Adam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Philippe Leick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gerd Bittlinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christof Schulz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Leick.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adam, A., Leick, P., Bittlinger, G. et al. Visualization of the evaporation of a diesel spray using combined Mie and Rayleigh scattering techniques. Exp Fluids 47, 439–449 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-009-0673-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-009-0673-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation