Gasoline direct injection (GDI) sprays are complex multiphase flows. When compared to multi-hole diesel sprays, the plumes are closely spaced, and the sprays are more likely to interact. The effects of multi-jet interaction on entrainment and spray targeting can be influenced by small variations in the mass fluxes from the holes, which in turn depend on transients in the needle movement and small-scale details of the internal geometry. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of a multi-institutional effort to experimentally characterize the internal geometry and near-nozzle flow of the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) Spray G gasoline injector. In order to develop a complete picture of the near-nozzle flow, a standardized setup was shared between facilities. A wide range of techniques were employed, including both x-ray and visible-light diagnostics. The novel aspects of this work include both new experimental measurements, and a comparison of the results across different techniques and facilities. The breadth and depth of the data reveal phenomena which were not apparent from analysis of the individual data sets. We show that plume-to-plume variations in the mass fluxes from the holes can cause large-scale asymmetries in the entrainment field and spray structure.Both internal flow transients and small-scale geometric features can have an effect on the external flow. The sharp turning angle of the flow into the holes also causes an inward vectoring of the plumes relative to the hole drill angle, which increases with time due to entrainment of gas into a low-pressure region between the plumes. These factors increase the likelihood of spray collapse with longer injection durations.

International audienceA laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique capable of assessing the effects of preferential evaporation of multi-component fuels was developed based on the simultaneous detection of two aromatic fluorescence tracers with complementary evaporation characteristics. Preferential evaporation is determined from the LIF-signal intensity ratio measured within two distinct spectral bands. A scheme to determine the measurement accuracy and precision was established by characterizing the collection setup through determining the ratio of LIF intensities collected within two identical spectral bands. Measurements were performed in a high-pressure, high-temperature vessel equipped with a hollow-cone injector. Experimental conditions were chosen that are representative for engine environments and favor preferential evaporation. The analysis of the preferential evaporation was based on the comparison of instantaneous and mean images of LIF ratios obtained at various temperatures. Inhomogeneous distributions of the fuel volatility classes as a consequence of preferential evaporation were observed and two-dimensionally imaged at ambient temperatures up to 550 K

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