Numerical Simulation of the Formation, Evolution and Control of a Methanol Spray Generated by a Pressure Swirl Atomizer During the Combustion Process

Abstract

In this study the injection of liquid fuel by a pressure swirl atomizer during the combustion process, is reproduced and analyzed using numerical simulation (Computational Fluid Dynamic). A 2D model along with an Eulerian-Lagrangian method has been use to simulate the presence of the spray and its interaction with the continuous phase. The injection and atomization of the fuel are reproduce using the LISA (“Linearized Instability Sheet Atomization”) model together with a Rosin-Rammler distribution, while the dispersion (evolution) of the droplets is simulated through the governing equations of the discrete phase. On the other hand, the continuous phase is simulated using a model based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS). The combustion model use is the steady-flamelets. The results of the dispersion (number density), size (Sauter mean diameter) and velocity of the droplets are compare with the experiments, showing good agreement. Finally, in order to study the control of the injection process, the operating parameters of the atomizer have been modified, analyzing the response in the characteristics of the spray.