Fuel injector characterization using laser diagnostics at atmospheric and elevated pressures

Abstract

Prefilming, piloted, and macrolaminate piloted airblast injectors were studied using Malvern, optical patternation, and a phase Doppler particle analyzer at atmospheric and elevated pressures. Malvem data showed similar values of Sauter mean diameter for the three configurations tested ranging from 20-48 microns depending on axial distance from the dp and fuel injector type. Volume concentration data obtained from optical patternation agreed quite well with data obtained with phase Doppler particle analyzer, except at the injector centerline, which could be a result of out-of-plane scatter. High pressure phase Doppler particle analyzer data indicated that a matched momentum ratio technique resulted in similar spray geometry, fuel spray velocity, and volume flux profiles for the prefilming airblast injector. Optical patternation results showed good agreement between Sauter mean diameter collected from this technique and phase Doppler particle analyzer data from -15 to 15 mm through the injector centerline. Results demonstrated that optical patternation can provide quantitative, non-intrusive measurements of spray volume concentration and Sauter mean diameter spatial distribution.