Estimation of the Occurrence of Micro-Explosion for the Diesel-Biofuel Multi-Components Droplets

A numerical study of micro-explosion in multi-component bio-fuel droplets is presented. The onset of micro-explosion is characterized by the normalized onset radius (NOR). Bubble expansion is described by a modified Rayleigh equation. The final breakup is modeled from a surface energy approach by determining the minimal surface energy (MSE). After the breakup, the Sauter mean radius (SMR) for initially small size droplets can be estimated from a look-up table generated from the current breakup model. There exists an optimal droplet size for the onset of micro-explosion. The MSE approach reaches the same conclusion as previous model determining atomization by aerodynamic disturbances. The SMR of secondary droplets can be estimated by the possible void fraction, ε, at breakup and the corresponding surface Weber number, Wes, at the minimal surface energy ratio (MSER). Biodiesel can enhance micro-explosion in the fuel blends of ethanol and diesel (which is represented by a single composition tetradecane). The simulation results show that the secondary atomization of bio-fuel and diesel blends can be achieved by micro-explosion under typical diesel engine operation conditions.