Characterization for Spray Droplet Behaviour in Afterburner-like Flow Conditions
Abstract
Fuel injection processes can contribute to combustion instability in highly energetic combustion systems. In gas turbine engine afterburners, jet-in-crossflow (JIX) injection is used. Part one of the thesis study investigates the interaction between spray droplets and turbulent flow properties of a JIX. Jet-in-counterflow (JIC) configuration was also investigated. Part two of the investigation examined the behaviour of JIX droplets around a bluff body. Droplet size and flow turbulence was characterized simultaneously using particle image velocimetry and image processing techniques. Turbulence and droplet size were correlated, particularly at momentum flux ratios ≥ 60. High speed imaging was used to identify droplet breakup mechanisms and size distribution around the bluff body. Overall, the current techniques allow for a reasonable simultaneous investigation of the coupled behaviour between JIX droplets and turbulence, and further development of the technique may have a significant impact on improved understanding of the mechanisms of JIX.