Mechanistic Model for Atomization of Superheated Liquid Jet Fuel, Phase II

As air-breathing combustion applications advance, increased use of fuel for cooling, combined with cycle advancements, leads to a situation where the fuel can become superheated. While this can lead to potential benefit in terms of the eventual fuel injection process, with enhanced atomization and evaporation, it creates a significant challenge relative design of a system to successfully exploit this behavior.

For Aerospace applications, development of fuel injection schemes that involve fuel superheat will be enhanced by model construction and validation resulting from the proposed project. Both standalone modeling tools and models for incorporation into a CFD environment will result from the project. NASA design tools will be enhanced in general and any simulation platforms needing to incorporate superheated fuel behavior will benefit in particular. Any application with fuel injection systems involving the potential for superheated liquid will benefit from the proposed work. Examples include automotive applications as well as boiler/furnace applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 1) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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