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In-nozzle multi-phase flow patterns in flash boiling atomization and their impacts on external sprays

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Abstract

Flash boiling atomization is a promising method to produce finer droplets with a higher vapor concentration for fuel combustion purposes. The vapor phase is regarded as a key component to enable better atomization efficiency in flash boiling atomization, but the exact mechanisms are missing. Typical two-dimensional slit nozzle measurements can reveal in-nozzle superheated flow characteristics, but volumetric features cannot be approximated by enlarged two-dimensional slit nozzles. In this work, we fabricate a rectangular, optical accessible nozzle with dimensions close to real fuel injector nozzles. The single-component fuel of n-pentane was used to trigger superheated in-nozzle flows and consecutive flash boiling sprays. Microscopic and macroscopic features of the two-phase in-nozzle flows were captured at different fuel temperatures and injection pressures. It is found that the flow patterns inside the nozzle during flash boiling are similar to those observed in vertical tube boiling flows. It is also observed that the external spray atomization is closely related to the in-nozzle two-phase flow patterns. Finally, new criteria for categorizing flash boiling regimes based on the flow pattern are proposed.

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The data and materials that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This work was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. E52276125 and E52006140) and the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province (2020RC5021).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Shangning Wang, Shuyi Qiu, Yijia Zhang, Mingli Cui, Xuesong Li & Min Xu

Authors
  1. Shangning Wang
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  2. Shuyi Qiu
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  3. Yijia Zhang
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  4. Mingli Cui
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  5. Xuesong Li
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  6. Min Xu
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Shangning Wang contributed to methodology, experiment and data processing. Shuyi Qiu and Yijia Zhang contributed to experiments. Mingli Cui contributed to calculations. Shangning Wang wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Min Xu and Xuesong Li contributed to the revision of manuscript and funding acquisition. All authors revised and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Xuesong Li.

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Wang, S., Qiu, S., Zhang, Y. et al. In-nozzle multi-phase flow patterns in flash boiling atomization and their impacts on external sprays. Exp Fluids 64, 48 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-023-03600-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-023-03600-3

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