The impact of injector hole diameter on spray behaviour for butanol-diesel blends

Optimising the combustion process in compression ignition (CI) engines is of interest in current research as a potential means to reduce fuel consumption and emission levels. Combustion optimisation can be achieved as a result of understanding the relationship between spraying technique and combustion characteristics. Understanding macroscopic characteristics of spray is an important step in predicting combustion behaviour. This study investigates the impact of injector hole diameter on macroscopic spray characteristics (spray penetration, spray cone angle, and spray volume) of butanol-diesel blends. In the current study, a Bosch (0.18 mm diameter) and a Delphi (0.198 mm) injector were used. Spray tests were carried out in a constant volume vessel (CVV) under different injection conditions. The test blends were injected using a solenoid injector with a common rail injection system and images captured using a high-speed camera. The experimental results showed that the spray penetration (S) was increased with larger hole diameter. Spray penetration of a 20% butanol-80% diesel blend was slightly further than that of neat diesel. Spray penetration of all test fuels was increased as a result of increased injection pressure (IP), while spray cone angle (θ) was slightly widened due to the increase in either hole diameter or injection pressure. Spray volume of all test fuels was increased as a result of increased hole diameter or injection pressure. Thus, an efficient diesel engine performance can be achieved as a result of controlling injection characteristics, especially when using a promising additive like butanol blended with diesel.