The measurement of internal surface characteristics of fuel nozzle orifices using the synchrotron X-ray micro CT technology

The design of fuel nozzle orifices at micrometer scales is crucial for generating desired fuel spray patterns, and consequently optimizing fuel combustion and emission in internal combustion engines. Although there have been several recent advancements in the characterization of orifice internal geometries, quantitative studies on the orifice internal wall surface characteristics are still challeges due to the lack of effective measuring methods. A new method for quantifying the internal wall surface characteristics of fuel nozzle micro-orifices is presented in this study to achieve a better understanding and prediction of spray characteristics: Firstly, by using the synchrotron X-ray micro CT technology, a three-dimensional digital model of the fuel nozzle tip was constructed. Secondly, a data post-processing technique was then applied to unfold the orifice internal wall surface to a flat base plane. Finally, the conventional surface characteristic quantification techniques can be used to evaluate the wall surface characteristics. Two diesel nozzles with identical orifice geometry design but different hydraulic grinding time were measured using this method. One nozzle was hydro-ground for 2 s while the other was not. The internal wall surfaces of the two orifices were successfully unfolded to base planes and their surface characteristics were respectively analyzed. The surface fluctuation data were perfectly reproduced by a Gaussian distribution function. The standard deviations of the distribution demonstrate the fluctuation range and the distribution of the entire surface fluctuation profiles. As an effective parameter to evaluate the hydraulic grinding process and the spray behaviors, the standard deviation was considered feasible for the analysis of the orifice internal wall surface characteristics.