A review of spray ignition phenomena: Present status and future research

Theoretical and experimental studies dealing with the spray ignition phenomena are reviewed. Two major topics covered are external-source ignition of liquid fuel sprays and spontaneous spray ignition. Experimental and theoretical investigations of external-source ignition of sprays employing different configurations are discussed first. Three major topics included here are: (i) ignition of quiescent and flowing fuel sprays; (ii) ignition of monodisperse and polydisperse sprays; and (iii) ignition of single-component and multicomponent fuel sprays. Then, experimental studies of autoignition of sprays employing constant-volume enclosures, injection in a uniform air flow, and shock tube techniques, are discussed. Theoretical investigations dealing with spray autoignition phenomena range from phenomenological models to one-dimensional numerical models using global one-step as well as detailed multistep chemistry, and to multidimensional simulations with reduced mechanisms. These models are also discussed in the review. Finally, some advanced topics which are common to both external-source ignition and spontaneous ignition are identified and discussed. An attempt is made to provide a common link between the three dominant ignition modes in sprays, namely individual droplet ignition, droplet cluster ignition, and spray ignition. In a similar manner, common features of external-source ignition and spontaneous ignition of sprays are identified. A general spray ignition model along with important numerical and physical issues are presented. The effect of pressure on spray ignition processes is also discussed. Potential topics for further research are suggested. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.