An experimental analysis on the evolution of the transient tip penetration in reacting Diesel sprays

Schlieren imaging has helped deeply characterize the behavior of Diesel spray when injected into an oxygen-free ambient. However, when considering the transient penetration of the reacting spray after autoignition, i.e. the Diesel flame, few studies have been found in literature. Differences among optical setups as well as among experimental conditions have not allowed clear conclusions to be drawn on this issue. Furthermore, soot radiation may have a strong effect on the image quality, which cannot be neglected.The present paper reports an investigation on the transient evolution of Diesel flame based upon schlieren imaging. Experimental conditions have spanned values of injection pressure, ambient temperature and density for typical Diesel engine conditions. An optimized optical setup has been used, which makes it possible to obtain results without soot interference. Based on observations for a long injection event (4 ms Energizing Time), the analysis has resorted to extensive comparison of inert and reacting sprays parameters, which have made it possible to define different phases after autoignition.Shortly after autoignition, axial and radial expansion of the spray have been observed in terms of tip penetration and radial cone angle. After that, during a stabilization phase, the reacting spray penetrates at a similar rate as the inert one. Later, the reacting spray undergoes an acceleration period, where it penetrates at a faster rate than the inert one. Finally, the flame enters a quasi-steady penetration phase, where the ratio of reacting and inert penetration stabilizes at a nearly constant value. The duration of the reacting spray penetration stages shows modifications when varying engine parameters such as air temperature, air density, injection pressure, and nozzle diameter. However, the proportionality between reacting and inert penetration has been observed to depend mainly on temperature, in agreement with observed reductions in entrainment when shifting from inert to reacting conditions.