LOW-TEMPERATURE VAPORIZATION OF JP-4 AND JP-8 FUEL DROPLETS

Abstract

This work summarizes an experimental investigation of the low-temperature (−15°C to 24°C), ambient pressure vaporization of suspended single and multicomponent liquid droplets in an air stream moving at relative velocities between 1 and 3 m/s. The work was motivated by the consideration of droplet vaporization during fuel jettisoning from aircraft, and the majority of data was collected using JP-4 and JP-8 fuels. The results showed preferential vaporization of the lighter components. A simple semiempirical predictive approach based on spherical symmetric vaporization and rapid mixing within the droplets was in good agreement with the experimental data.