Multiphase Flow Modeling

Precise modeling of fuel injection systems is essential for advancing modern propulsion technologies, given their strong influence on engine performance, emissions, and most importantly they involve complex thermochemical and dynamical systems. The complexity arises from the multi-physics nature of fuel injection, encompassing fuel chemistry, internal nozzle flow, and the multiphase characteristics that develop downstream of the nozzle exit. The diagram below highlights the research progress in this area, accompanied by the bullet-pointed descriptions.

1. Liquid surrogate development: multi-component real fuel properties is characterized by the detailed hydrocarbon analysis (DHA), providing sophisticated chemical compound database.

2. X-ray tomography:  Leveraging Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) facility makes it possible to visualize the internal nozzle geometry and track needle motion within the sac volume. The facility also provides detailed insights into spray morphology.

3. Near nozzle spray (primary jet breakup): By employing the USAXS technique developed through collaboration between Georgia Tech and Argonne, a more detailed investigation of primary jet breakup in the optically dense region is made possible.

4. Droplet dynamics: Secondary droplet breakup along with subsequent dynamics such as collision, coalescence and evaporation is modeled in the Lagrangian coordinate system for CFD sub-model development.

The following sub-chapters present the key outcomes of my research, with an emphasis on CFD sub-physics model development and its applications across various engineering domains.

Spray Atomization

Injector Modeling