One-Dimensional Transient Dynamics of Fuel Evaporation and Diffusion in Induction Systems

Engine performance under transients is greatly affected by the fuel behavior in the induction systems. To better understand the fuel behavior, a computer model has been developed to study the one-dimensional coupled heat and mass transfer processes occurring during the transient evaporation of liquid fuel from a heated surface into stagnant air. The energy and mass diffusion equations are solved simultaneously to yield the transient temperatures and species concentrations using a modified finite difference technique. The numerical technique is capable of solving the coupled equations while simultaneously tracking the movement of the evaporation interface. Evaporation results are presented for various initial film thicknesses representing typical puddle thicknesses for multi-point fuel injection systems using heptane, octane, and nonane pure hydrocarbon fuels. It is concluded that the evaporation-diffusion dynamics are very sensitive to the heated surface temperature, the vapor pressure characteristics of the fuel, and the molecular diffusion processes on the vapor side of the liquid-vapor interface.