Mist formation during micro-explosion of emulsion droplets

Abstract

The micro-explosion of emulsion droplets plays an important role in promoting atomization, improving combustion efficiency, and reducing pollutant emissions. In this experimental study of the micro-explosion of emulsion droplets, we find that mist can be generated during the heating of emulsion droplets, and the mist generation is closely related to the micro-explosion process. Combined analysis from high-speed images, gas chromatography, and droplet temperature variation shows that the mist generation is due to the condensation of vapor into small droplets as the temperature decreases. Two micro-explosion modes are observed, intense micro-explosion with a large amount of mist and weak micro-explosion with a small amount of mist. Different emulsified fuels are tested, and mist can be produced for all the emulsified fuels. The mist is quantitatively analyzed via digital image processing. According to the mist concentration curve in the micro-explosion process, the micro-explosion mode can be distinguished. The effects of the water and surfactant contents in the emulsion droplets are studied, and the mists are used to characterize the micro-explosion. Increasing the water content can promote the vaporization of the water phase, increase the strength of micro-explosion, and result in a large amount of mist. Increasing the surfactant content can improve the stability of the emulsion droplet, reduce the probability of intense micro-explosion, and hence reduce the mist concentration.