LES Eulerian diffuse-interface modeling of fuel dense sprays near- and far-field

Engine fuel spray modeling still remains a challenge, especially in the dense near-nozzle region. This region is difficult to experimentally access and also to model due to the complex and rapid liquid and gas interaction. Modeling approaches based on Lagrangian particle tracking have failed in this area, while Eulerian modeling has proven to be particularly useful. Interface resolved methods are still limited to primary atomization academic configurations due to excessive computational requirements. To overcome those limitations, the single-fluid diffuse interface model known as Σ-Y, arises as a single-framework for spray simulations. Under the assumption of scale separation at high Reynolds and Weber numbers, liquid dispersion is modeled as turbulent mixing of a variable density flow. The concept of surface area density is used for representing liquid structures, regardless of the complexity of the interface. In this work, a LES based implementation of the Σ-Y model in the OpenFOAM CFD library is applied to simulate the ECN Spray A configuration. Model assessment is performed for both near- and far-field spray development regions using different experimental diagnostics available from ECN database. The CFD model is able to capture near-nozzle fuel mass distribution and, after Σ equation constant calibration, interfacial surface area. Accurate predictions of spray far-field evolution in terms of liquid and vapor tip penetration and local velocity can be simultaneously achieved. Model accuracy is lower when compared to mixture fraction axial evolution, despite radial distribution profiles are well captured.