Experiment of fuel distribution of pressure-swirl atomizers for aero-engine

The experimental unit and correction method for estimation of performance of fuel distribution based on planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) method were established, and the correction method was validated. The comparisons between results of PLIF method and planar laser scattering (PLS) method indicate that, the results of PLS method overrepresents droplet concentration for droplets less than 50 μm and PLIF is suitable for fuel distribution measurement. To make sure the quality of machining and performances of the atomizers, the distributions of droplets were evaluated comprehensively by PLIF method in terms of spray cone angle, non-uniformity of circumferential distribution and patternation index, and then, the results of eccentricity and grooves of different sizes for the poor droplets distribution show that, the factors for non-uniformity include the roughness of internal flow wall, roundness of nozzle and coaxiality of parts. The opening processes of spray cones in the direction of ejection were visualized by PLIF method at pressure differential of 0.14, 0.25 and 2.5 MPa, respectively, and the droplets dispersed from annulus to round in cross-sectional plane with development of the spray. Furthermore, the rate of droplets dispersion increased with the growing pressure differential of fuel.