Computation of air and fuel droplet flows in S.I. engine manifolds

The flow of air and fuel mixture similar to that in the induction systems of an SI engine has been studied. A standard, general purpose single phase CFD code was used with some modifications to account for momentum, mass and heat transfers between the air stream and fuel droplets. Based on a Lagrangian approach, the movement from an assumed spray distribution model of fuel droplets were individually tracked. Models using different assumed coupling between the two phases have been investigated. Under typical engine operating conditions, it was found that a fully coupled treatment for momentum is not required. For estimation of fuel evaporation, a computing time saving one-dimensional treatment was found to be adequate. Fuel film formation on various surfaces of a duct and butterfly valve simulating an engine manifold is reported.