The Atomization of Gelled Fuels with a Doublet Like-on-like Impinging Jet Injector under Ambient Pressure and Temperature Conditions

Abstract

The spray behavior of Jet A-1 gelled with two different gellants, has been investigated experimentally with a variable doublet like-on like impinging jet atomizer set-up at ambient conditions concerning temperature and pressure. Both a gel on a particulate basis, where Aerosil (inert SiO2 particles in the sub-micron range) has been added to the liquid Jet A-1, and a gel produced with a combustible organic-based gellant have been used. For the second gelled fuel Thixatrol ST together with 5-Methyl-2-Hexanone (IMH) has been chosen. The atomization process has been visualized using the shadowgraph technique together with a spark light source. The droplet formation has been characterized with Fraunhofer diffraction. The influence of the impingement half-angle as well as the nozzle exit velocity on the spray pattern and the droplet formation is presented.