More efficient fuel systems have been designed using a ground breaking mathematical model.
A mathematical fuels model, developed at the University of Alabama in the US, is set to increase the pace of injector design to produce greater efficiency, better mileage and more horsepower in cars and trucks.
The fuels model is far less expensive than real-world modelling and, according to the researchers, its application can be used to develop better fuel systems for all combustion processes and fuels, from gasoline, ethanol and diesel, to decane/hexadecane.
The researchers claim the model can demonstrate the behaviour of fuel droplets from different injector designs, relating to evaporation characteristics and combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber. They state the model will allow engineers to better answer the question: "What is the best injector design to give you the best flame propagation?"
The new model has led to additional research in fuel turbulence, which examines the swirling of fuel mixture to create the optimum, even combustion characteristics.
The researchers are now hoping to find a way to burn fuel more efficiently to produce more power and cleaner combustion, using the new model.