We-T classification of diesel fuel droplet impact regimes

A combined experimental and computational investigation of micrometric diesel droplets impacting on a heated aluminium substrate is presented. Dual view high-speed imaging has been employed to visualize the evolution of the impact process at various conditions. The parameters investigated include wall-surface temperature ranging from 140 to 400°C, impact Weber and Reynolds numbers of 19–490 and 141–827, respectively, and ambient pressure of 1 and 2 bar. Six possible post-impact regimes were identified, termed as Stick, Splash, Partial-Rebound, Rebound, Breakup-Rebound and Breakup-Stick, and plotted on the We-T map. Additionally, the temporal variation of the apparent dynamic contact angle and spreading factor have been determined as a function of the impact Weber number and surface temperature. Numerical simulations have also been performed using a two-phase flow model with interface capturing, phase-change and variable physical properties. Increased surface temperature resulted to increased maximum spreading diameter and induced quicker and stronger recoiling behaviour, mostly attributed to the change of liquid viscosity.