Experimental Study of Steady Quasi-Cone-Jet Electrostatic Sprays of Biobutanol for Engine Applications
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 3
Abstract
Butanol produced from agricultural sources is emerging as a potentially renewable biofuel for use in engine applications. In this work, butanol electrostatic sprays were established within a narrow region of low flow rates. Spray phenomenology was investigated through high-speed visualization for the low flow rate conditions in the vicinity of the lowest voltage for which electrosprays (e-sprays) could be sustained. Spray structure was studied through droplet size and velocity measurements for a combination of conditions, performed by using phase Doppler anemometry. Combined with high-speed spray visualization, these measurements revealed a stable e-spray operation with narrow droplet size and velocity distributions; i.e., spray behavior was close to monodisperse. A similarity analysis was performed to develop an empirical expression correlating appropriately dimensionless average diameter, flow rate, and applied voltage.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Energy through the Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Center of Excellence at the University of Illinois.
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Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 3 • September 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 15, 2013
Accepted: Jun 6, 2013
Published online: Jun 8, 2013
Discussion open until: Jul 20, 2014
Published in print: Sep 1, 2014
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