Gelled Fuel Simulant Droplet Impact onto a Solid Surface

The dynamics of the impact process of a non-Newtonian gelled fuel simulant droplet was studied experimentally. A comparison between the impact process of the gel simulant and that of a neat Newtonian fluid reveals a similar behaviour during the kinematic phase of the droplet impact. However, significant differences, both quantitatively and qualitatively, between the investigated fluids were found during the later spreading, relaxation and equilibrium phases of the impact process. Numerical simulations for the neat Newtonian fluid were found to accurately predict the centreline height during the kinematic phase for both of the fluids. A novel dynamic model for drop shape based on elastic spring and dashpot elements using the Bessel function to describe the periodic term is presented. Very good agreement of the dynamic model with the experimental data was obtained.