High-speed x-ray imaging of atomization in an aircraft swirler geometry

High speed x-ray phase-contrast imaging experiments have been conducted at the 7-BM beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to examine the complex liquid spray and surface interaction phenomena within a modified aircraft fuel swirler. Air was supplied to a standardized aircraft swirler geometry, which was 3D printed with acrylic to maximize x-ray transparency. Water was used as a surrogate for fuel and supplied to the standard hardware at relevant flow conditions. Time resolved imagery of operations with either the pilot or main fuel circuit illustrate liquid impingement on the inner walls of the swirler and filming, with thicknesses up to several orifice diameters on the surface. These data can aid the evaluation of existing computational tools, and their ability to predict the aerodynamic breakup and surface interactions in these devices.