Numerical modelling of direct-injection gasoline fuel sprays

This thesis presents a numerical study of the break-up and atomisation of gasoline fuel sprays injected into atmospheric flow conditions and environments related to combustion chamber conditions. Calculations of the fuel break-up process were achieved by four different models: Taylor Analogy Break-up (TAB), the wave instability theory (WAVE), the Hybrid Sheet-TAB and the Hybrid WAVE-FIPA models. The TAB model relates the break-up process to the droplet oscillations; whereas the WAVE models calculate the fuel break-up from the unstable waves on the droplet surface. The modified version of the TAB model, called the Hybrid Sheet-TAB model delays the start of the break-up further downstream from the nozzle tip. A new hybrid model, the WAVE-FIPA model, divides the spray atomisation processes into a primary stage, where the WAVE model is used, and a secondary stage, which is simulated using experimental correlations to calculate the break-up time for the low Weber number droplets. [Continues.]