Experimental and numerical characterization of kerosene spray from a gdi single-hole injector

A reliable and energy-saving engine system deeply depends on a large degree of the optimal control of fuel injection, ignition, and fuel/air mixing process in the combustion chamber. In the last two decades, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines have caught the attentions of engine manufacturers worldwide because of their potential to rival the economical fuel improvement, better transient response, precise air/fuel ratio control, and selective emissions advantages. The objective of this study is to analyze the spray characteristics of injectors for military GDI engines based on the spray pattern and performance of the injectors in an ambient pressure. The experiments are conducted using a single-hole injector manufactured by BOSCH for GDI engines. Instead of JP-8, the kerosene is injected into the ambient and is measured using laser-based quantitative flow diagnostics. The transient evolution of spray is also numerically calculated and compared with measured data. Based on the results, the fuel spray is determined to have a sac (sacrificing volume) spray and a main spray with a wider hollow-cone structure. The results also show that the numerical calculated spray phenomena have a good agreement with the measured results. The measured spray characteristics can suitably provide bases for military GDI engine design and modifications and for development of control strategy.