Study on the microscopic characteristics of pentanol/highly active fuel spray based on high-speed droplet tracking velocimetry technology

Abstract

Pentanol blending with highly reactive fuels for internal combustion engines holds considerable promise. The atomization of sprays closely influences the efficiency and combustion characteristics of the system. Based on Particle Tracking Velocimetry and high-speed shadow imaging technology, we propose a method termed High-speed Droplet Tracking Velocimetry for analyzing spray particle size. Prior to conducting our study, we validated the reliability of High-speed Droplet Tracking Velocimetry through comparisons with the Malvern and Phase Doppler methods. This study utilized long working distance micro high-speed shadow imaging technology in a visualized constant volume combustion chamber to investigate the spray micro-characteristics of pentanol blended with highly reactive fuels, including Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, Hydrogenated Catalytic Biodiesel, and Diesel. The results indicate that under all operating conditions, the droplets of P20H80 (the volume fraction of 20 % n-pentanol mixed with 80 % Hydrogenated Catalytic Biodiesel) are smaller and more uniformly distributed, demonstrating the minimum Sauter Mean Diameter, characteristic diameter, and width of droplet size distribution. The droplet velocities of P20H80 are the lowest, followed by P20Di80 (the volume fraction of 20 % n-pentanol mixed with 80 % Diesel), while P20B80 (the volume fraction of 20 % n-pentanol mixed with 80 % Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) exhibits the highest velocities. These velocity differences among the three fuels generally remain within 10 %-20 % across various injection pressures. P20Di80 shows the highest Reynolds and Weber numbers, followed by P20H80, with P20B80 having the smallest values due to its intermediate physical properties. The gaps between each fuel type range from 20 % to 30 %.