Numerical Study of Effects of Backpressure on Self-Pulsation of a Liquid-Centred Swirl Coaxial Injector

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of backpressure and operating conditions on the self-pulsation characteristics of a liquid-centred swirl coaxial (LCSC) injector. To this end, a three-dimensional numerical simulation via octree adaptive mesh refinement as well as coupled level-set and volume of fluid method were employed. Self-pulsation is suppressed by backpressure for a constant gas–liquid momentum flux ratio (MFR). When backpressure is constant, the strength of self-pulsation varies with the mass flow rate of the gas (m˙g), which is constant with experimental data due to the variation in the flow patterns in the recess chambers. The self-pulsation frequency increases with backpressure and m˙g. The trends of the spray angle and intensity of self-pulsation are consistent. As backpressure increases, the radial distribution of the mass flow rate of the liquid changes from a double- to single-peak. The central mass flow rate increases with backpressure and m˙g, which also affect the pressure oscillations inside and outside the liquid film in the injector. We proposed a self-pulsation mechanism, in which self-pulsation is closely related to the dominant surface wave and Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) instability. Self-pulsation under the critical mixing flow pattern is stronger than that under inner or outer mixing flow patterns. Under the critical mixing flow pattern, the K–H vortex is relatively strong, and the spray oscillation is not restricted by the wall of the recess chamber.