We are pursuing an experimental characterization of the potential use of electric fields for the establishment fuel stratification in automotive cylinders. Mixture stratification is currently obtained using appropriate in-cylinder flow fields. However, several problems are associated with this mode of operation such as impingement of fuel droplets on the cylinder liner, and the preservation of mixture stratification throughout the compression stroke. These problems relate to the fact that the mass of fuel, which determines engine load, and its momentum, which determines dispersion through fluid mechanics, are fundamentally interwoven. In these preliminary experiments, we study the flow of sprays of electrically charged fuel in the vicinity of a spark plug. We show that the spark plug can act as an “attractor” of fuel droplets even for liquids of low conductivity such as gasoline without antistatic additives.
A Preliminary Approach to the Application of “Electrospray” Technology in the Automotive Field
CARLUCCI, Antonio Paolo;
2004-01-01
Abstract
We are pursuing an experimental characterization of the potential use of electric fields for the establishment fuel stratification in automotive cylinders. Mixture stratification is currently obtained using appropriate in-cylinder flow fields. However, several problems are associated with this mode of operation such as impingement of fuel droplets on the cylinder liner, and the preservation of mixture stratification throughout the compression stroke. These problems relate to the fact that the mass of fuel, which determines engine load, and its momentum, which determines dispersion through fluid mechanics, are fundamentally interwoven. In these preliminary experiments, we study the flow of sprays of electrically charged fuel in the vicinity of a spark plug. We show that the spark plug can act as an “attractor” of fuel droplets even for liquids of low conductivity such as gasoline without antistatic additives.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
