Experimental investigations of spray generated by a pressure swirl atomizer

This paper has focused on the droplets behavior of kerosene RP-3 spray produced by a pressure swirl atomizers in terms of spray pattern, droplet size spatial distribution, mean droplet size, and distribution index with variations of pressure differential. The analyses have been carried out experimentally with the aid of optical diagnostic methods. The spray pattern, such as spray cone angle and fuel spatial distribution, has been measured by the technique of planar laser induced fluorescence of kerosene. A method for correction of fuel distribution measurement error induced by laser attenuation in spray is proposed and validated. The droplet size spatial distribution in central axis plane of the spray has been measured by a planar droplet sizing method which combining laser induced fluorescence and Mie scattering. The spray pattern in axial center plane and cross-sectional plane perpendicular to axis of the atomizer indicate that the droplets in spray concentrate around the outer periphery and in a narrow annular zone at the near-field of fuel injector exit, and then disperse to produce a solid spray at downstream of the spray. The analyses of droplet size spatial distribution, Sauter mean diameter, and distribution index with pressure differential clearly show the presence of droplets collision and its adverse effects on droplet size uniformity. The spray outline, droplet mass spatial distribution, and droplet size spatial distribution, droplets dispersion and collision in the process of atomization provide a great insight into the processes of atomization and spray development, which are key information for fuel injector design and quality control. The visualizations of spray pattern and droplet size spatial distribution with variations of pressure differential for pressure swirl atomizer are key issues in swirl cup or internally staged airblast fuel injectors because pressure swirl atomizer provides primary atomization or pilot spray which affects the quality of air/fuel mixing in lean-burn combustion. Moreover, a well-defined and complete database regarding the isothermal hollow cone spray is provided for validation of spray model.