Electrostatic Atomization Insertion into Compression Ignition Engines

The insertion of electrostatic atomization injection technology into a compression ignition engine is described. The issues related to adaptation of electrospray were evaluated with regards to engine geometry. The device, which functions as a submerged cold-cathode field-emitter electron gun, operates at potentials of less than ten kilovolts. Test and evaluation at realistic ambient fuel injection conditions demonstrated a power consumption of approximately fourteen milliwatts. Detailed CFD analysis of the combustion process of electrostatic sprays was completed. The computational grid consisted of a 20 radial, 38 circumferential, and 18 axial grid points. The results yielded a significant improvement in combustion uniformity and efficiency.