FOLLOWING THE PHASES OF AVIATION FUEL
John Palmore , Jr . Assistant Professor
The Palmore Research Group uses numerical analysis and high-performance computing to investigate engineering problems involving multiphase ( droplet-in-gas or particle-in-gas ) flows . The research has focused on investigating how multiphase flow physics affects the performance of aviation engines . Related to this mission , the group has been investigating the effect of fuel droplet dynamics inside of the engine . Although the fuel is injected into the engine as a liquid fuel , combustion occurs in the gas phase . Between these processes complex multiphase events occur including liquid breakup into small droplets and vaporization of the liquid fuel . While gas-phase combustion has a rich body of literature , the effect of these multiphase flow phenomena is less quantified . The Palmore Research Group has made progress on this front .
Our research has centered around improving the standard model of liquid fuel break-up and vaporization . Although real combustion occurs in a turbulent flow environment , the standard modeling approach considers droplets moving in a uniform flow . This year the group demonstrated that flow non-uniformities such as those present in real flows have a complex , nonlinear impact on the process of droplet vaporization . Another issue with the standard is the neglect of the fluid motion inside of the droplet on processes like break-up . The group demonstrated how this internal circulation can significantly delay or increase the time of break-up for fuel droplets .
SEAN ALABASTER
36 RESEARCH • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ANNUAL REPORT • 2019-2020