Simulation of Biodiesel Sprays under High Ambient Temperature using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Among the numerous alternative fuels for internal combustion engines, biodiesel have promising fuel for use in compression ignition engines due to its properties such as renewable nature, fuel bound oxygen content, non-toxic, biodegradable, no sulphur, good ignition quality and excellent lubricity. The effect of high ambient temperature on spray characteristics of biodiesel was studied by utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics software. The spray characteristics that are studied are spray penetration length and spray angle. Simulation of fluid flow (Fluent) toolbox was used to simulate and analyze the spray characteristics of biodiesel at various conditions of ambient condition. Simulation results have revealed that the increases of ambient temperature inside the combustion chamber resulting in gain of wider spray angle of all used fuels. Results also show that longer spray penetration length of diesel and biodiesel fuels can be seen as the ambient temperature increases. This study deduces that ambient temperature is a significant variable that plays pivotal role in controlling air fuel mixing in combustion chamber. (paper)