Development of a high pressure chamber for research into diesel spray dynamics

Abstract

An optically accessible pressure vessel and ancillary instrumentation for studies of diesel spray dynamics has been designed and built at the Australian Maritime College. The requirement for large observation windows and internal pressures up to 10 MPa necessitated the use of finite element analysis in conjunction with first principles analysis. Strain gauge testing confirmed the calculated maximum stresses in the observation windows. The chamber is a registered pressure vessel conforming to AS1210. A purpose-built injection system capable of fuel pressures up to 120 MPa and injection pulse durations up to 30 ms has been implemented. Laser-based instrumentation is synchronised with individual injection events to measure spray droplet velocities and sizes.

Keywords:

• High pressure chamber
• finite element analysis
• diesel spray dynamics
• laser instrumentation
• particle image velocimetry

Additional information

Notes on contributors

L Goldsworthy

Laurie Goldsworthy obtained his PhD from Melbourne University in 1978, focusing on automotive engine combustion and exhaust emissions. After a period as a Research Fellow studying prechamber ignition of a lean burn spark ignited engine, Laurie joined AMC as a lecturer in thermodynamics. In his current role as Research Leader (Marine Engines), Laurie has developed AMC’s capabilities in fuels, combustion and exhaust emissions research. This includes experimental and computational studies of diesel spray dynamics, formation and control of NOx emissions, combustion and ignition properties of heavy fuel oil, and the use of alternative fuels in diesel engines.

N Ashraf

Nabeel Ashraf graduated with an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey, in 1994. He held a lecturing position at the National University of Science and Technology in Pakistan from 1995 to 2000, then moved to Australia. In 2002 Nabeel completed one year of PhD studies at University of New South Wales, before changing to a PhD program at AMC in 2004.

P A Brandner

A/Prof Paul Brandner leads a research group working in fluid dynamics, specifically cavitation, and manages the cavitation tunnel within the National Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics at the Australian Maritime College (now an institute of the University of Tasmania). His research interests include unsteady cavitating, multi-phase and turbulent flows, bubbly flows and supercavitation. As a collaborator with the AMC marine engines group, he has contributed to the development of experimental equipment and methods for the investigation of spray dynamics. In recent years, Paul has led the development of a new cavitation tunnel funded under the commonwealth Major National Research Facilities program. This facility has been developed to support basic research into the performance of naval platforms and high-speed craft, and naval hydrodynamics generally. The facility was conceived to be one of the most sophisticated medium-sized variable pressure water tunnels worldwide for experimental modelling of cavitation physics. Its principal capabilities include precise control of dissolved and free gas in the test flow critical for modelling of nucleation and diffusion processes. Paul has longstanding collaborations with the University of Tasmania and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation as part of Cooperative Research Centre and Major National Research Facilities programs.