Experimental Investigations of Performance Parameters of Pressure Swirl Atomizer for Kerosene Type Fuel

Abstract

The process of atomization is one in which a liquid jet or sheet is disintegrated by the kinetic energy of the liquid itself, or by exposure to high velocity air or gas, or as a result of mechanical energy applied externally. Combustion of liquid fuels in engines and industrial furnaces is dependent on effective atomization to increase the specific surface area of the fuel and thereby achieve high rate of mixing and evaporation. The pressure swirl atomizer is most common type atomizer used for combustion in gas turbine engines and industrial furnaces. The spray penetration is of prime importance for combustion designs. Over penetration of the spray leads to impingement of the fuel on walls of furnaces and combustors. On the other hand, if spray penetration is inadequate, fuel–air mixing is unsatisfactory. Optimum engine performance is obtained when the spray penetration is matched to the size and geometry of combustors. Methods for calculating penetration are therefore essential to sound engine design. Equally important are the spray cone angles and the drop size distribution in the sprays. An attempt is being made to experimentally investigate pressure swirl atomizer performance parameters such as spray cone angle, penetration length and drop size at different injection pressures ranging from 6 bar to 18 bar.