Effect of nanoparticles on the spray characteristics of jet fuels at elevated ambient conditions

Dispersion of high energetic metal nanoparticles in aviation fuels has gained interest in the recent years due to its potential for the enhancement of combustion characteristics. However, nanoparticle dispersion in liquid fuels can affect fuel atomization process, and in turn, the combustion and emission characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the atomization characteristics of nanofuels (liquid fuels dispersed with nanoparticles) to better understand the latter processes. This work presents results of the macro-scale atomization characteristics of non-reacting alternative, gas-to-liquid (GTL), jet fuel based nanofuels using a pressure swirl nozzle in an inert environment. The macroscopic spray characteristics such as spray cone angle, liquid sheet breakup, and liquid sheet velocity are determined by employing shadowgraph imaging technique. The effects of nanoparticles concentration and ambient pressures on the spray characteristics are discussed. The presented macroscopic spray results demonstrate that the nanoparticles dispersion at low concentrations affects the spray in the near-nozzle region.