Break-Up and Atomization Characteristics of N-Dodecane in High-Temperature Crossflow

The present study numerically investigates the break-up and atomization characteristics of n-dodecane, a widely used surrogate for jet fuels and diesel, under high pressure and temperature conditions of crossflow. This research can provide valuable insight into optimizing fuel injection processes and reducing emissions in gas turbine engines. Simulated test conditions range from 3.8 to 10 bar and at temperatures of473K, varying the momentum flux ratios (q) in the range of 6–30 and Weber number (We) in the range of 100–1200. An OpenFOAM-based compressible VOF-LPT coupled framework is developed to simulate the high-temperature evaporating spray problem. Numerical validation of the developed framework is done based on the high-temperature experimental data from Amighi and Ashgriz [1,2] for water. It is further utilized to simulate n-dodecane injections in a crossflow. The validation is performed regarding liquid jet penetration and droplet sizes, finding accurate agreement with experimental data. The effect of temperature and pressure on break-up and atomization, liquid jet penetration, and droplet size characteristics are also discussed. An increased fine droplet production is observed for dodecane at high temperatures, potentially due to enhanced break-up and heat transfer rates. Further, the variation of droplet sizes downstream of injection for n-dodecane fuel under different pressure conditions is also discussed. Determination of quantitative droplet size distribution highlights the solver’s utility in understanding atomization, evaporation, and mixing under high-temperature crossflow environments.