Three phase cavitating flows in high-pressure swirl injectors

The internal combustion engine remains to be one of the most important sources of energy. The direct gasoline injection (DGI) is a new technology that promises considerable improvement of internal combustion engine efficiency. The key component in the DGI engine is its injection system. A three-phase flow simulation of the flow in the high-pressure swirl injector, typical for DGI engines, is presented here. The model is based on the multiphase extension of the two-fluid model. The most important characteristics of the flow were predicted. The results show the formation of a thin conical fuel sheet with an air core. Cavitation was also predicted in the pressure depression initiated in the air core. The presented approach seems to be very promising for the simulation of flows in DGI injectors. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.