Advanced techniques for quantification and modelling of phase-change processes of renewable fuels and their blends

Objetivo

Current EU and international policies dictate the gradual disengagement of industry from fossil fuels within the next three decades. In order such a transition to become a reality, novel fuel delivery and combustion concepts capable of efficiently utilising biomass-derived fuels must be designed and developed. Advanced diagnostic techniques must be implemented and validated for characterizing the relevant flow processes. The current state-of-the-art referring to fuel/spray flow diagnostics is lacking quantitative data referring to the transition of liquid renewable fuels and their blends into vapour. The main objective of the proposed MSCA programme is the simultaneous experimental characterisation of the phase-change processes within fuel injectors (cavitation and flash boiling) and at the nozzle exit (evaporation and trans/supercritical phase-change) under realistic injector configurations and air thermodynamic conditions for liquid biofuels, as well as their blends with fossil fuels. Several optical and laser-diagnostics techniques will be employed comprising high-speed shadowgraphy/Schlieren flow visualisation, long range microscopy and time resolved LIEF and LE measurements for the quantification of the liquid/vapour volume fraction. Moreover, radiography and neutron measurements will be conducted in the Argonne National Lab (US) and Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), respectively. The obtained measurements will guide the formulation of novel numerical models quantifying the relevant mass/heat transfer processes. These will be implemented in advanced CFD flow solvers for the prediction of phase-change in realistic injector/atomizer layouts. The project innovative nature spans across diverse research aspects with emphasis on renewable alternatives for Diesel and gasoline; it is expected to assist EU energy and automotive industries to meet the goals imposed regarding the utilisation of renewable fuels.