Investigation of Dispersion, Breakup, and Combustion Processes of Liquid Fuel Droplets under High Turbulence

Abstract

In the present study, the processes of breakup, dispersion, and evaporation of gasoline droplets in a model combustion chamber under high turbulence reacting flow were investigated using modern computational modeling methods. The influence of the initial gas temperature in the chamber on spray dynamics, droplet distribution, and thermal characteristics of the flow was analyzed. The results of computational experiments enabled the detailed visualization of the reacting flow, including the temperature, aerodynamic, and concentration characteristics of the fuel–air mixture. It was established that an increase in the initial gas temperature leads to a reduction in the mean droplet size, accelerated evaporation, and enhanced combustion intensity. It was observed that droplets spread over considerable distances from the nozzle while maintaining a relatively uniform radial distribution. As the droplets move upward in the chamber, their temperature gradually increases, reflecting complex interactions with the two-phase flow. The study demonstrated that higher gas temperatures intensify combustion and significantly raise maximum temperature levels. Based on the research conducted, the key role of the initial gas temperature in shaping the spray and flame structure was substantiated, providing a basis for recommendations to optimize the operation of combustion chambers in thermal engines.