Observation of the Atomization Process of an Intermittent Spray From a Diesel Nozzle in Its Very Early Stage.

Abstract

The atomization behavior of an intermittent fuel spray from a diesel nozzle was clearly observed by means of shadowgraphy using an image-converting camera with the framing rate of 105 f.p.s. and an image-intensified CCD camera with high-speed gating. A rather wide range of valve-opening pressure (5 to 70 MPa) was covered, and simultaneous measurement of the injection pressure inside the nozzle sac was also attempted to clarify the atomization mechanisms at its very early stage of injection. At the beginning of injection, the emergence of a liquid column was observed. Initially, it has almost the same diameter as the nozzle hole and then spreads radially, forming the spray angle in the vicinity of the nozzle exit. The timing of this spray-angle formation becomes earlier with the increase in valve opening pressure, even if the pressure inside the nozzle sac at this moment does not vary. This pressure approximately corresponds to that of the transition region in an atomization regime of a steady jet.