A study of droplet deformation: The effect of crossflow velocity on jet fuel and biofuel droplets impinging onto a dry smooth surface

摘要

The aeronautical sector has been, in the last decade, one of those that most invested in more efficient and ecological solutions in order to reduce significantly greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. The introduction of biofuels in fuel mixtures for aircraft engines is a promising alternative in this sector. The main objective of this experimental study is understanding the influence of crossflow variation on droplet deformation and consequent impact outcomes. An experimental facility was developed and validated to study the impact of single droplets onto a dry, smooth aluminium impact surface under the influence of several crossflow velocities. Different crossflow velocities of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 m/s were tested. A combination of conventional jet fuel and a biofuel was considered to understand the behavior of jet fuel and biofuel mixtures, and three fluids were used: 100% jet fuel, 75% jet fuel/25% biofuel and 50% jet fuel/50% biofuel. Several parameters, including velocity components, impact angle and eccentricity, were analysed for the different crossflow velocities, and the spread and splash regimes were also defined for the different fluids. The results display that, for each crossflow velocity, an increase in the droplet impact velocity causes a shift from the spread to the splash regime. The presence of a crossflow induces deformation on the droplet, altering its outcome. Ellipsoidal droplets promote the occurrence of spreading, whereas splashing tends to occur for spherical forms, corresponding to higher and lower eccentricity values, respectively. A substantial increase in the crossflow velocity leads to aerodynamic breakup of the droplet.