Session: 15-01-01: ASME International Undergraduate Research and Design Exposition

Paper Number: 151598

151598 - Spray and Atomization Characteristics of Suspensions of Iron Nanoparticles in Water 

            This experiment uses an impinging jet spray system to analyze the effect of iron nanoparticles on spray characteristics. Impact angle, flow rate, and nanoparticle concentration are varied to study their impact on spray angle and sheet length. The suspensions of iron particles in water are created by first measuring a desired amount of distilled water and weighing the correct amount of iron nanoparticles for the concentration that will be tested. These are then combined and sonicated to create a suspension. The surface tension and viscosity of the nanofluid suspensions are measured using a surface tensiometer using the Wilhelmy plate method and a rotational viscometer. The spray system starts with the nanofluid suspension being placed in a pressure pot, which allows compressed air to force the fluid through the spray system. Flow rate through the system is controlled and monitored with a mass flow controller. The regulated flow is then directed through nozzles oriented to create a spray at a desired impact angle. The nozzles are held to create this desired impact angle with a custom designed 3D printed bracket. The nozzles are inserted into this bracket, ensuring angle accuracy and allowing additional brackets to be easily printed to create a variety of precise impact angles for the spray. Utilizing a diffused backlight, a highspeed camera records the spray. The images from this recording are then processed using an ImageJ macro to first create a pixel-to-millimeter scale of the images. The macro then converts each image to binary and determines the edges of the spray. This ImageJ macro outputs files containing the edge coordinates (in millimeters) of each pixel in every frame of the spray recording. A Matlab code then uses these files to determine the spray angle and sheet length. Preliminary testing showed that at an impact angle of 90˚, 40nm iron particles in water at a concentration of .1% reduced the spray angle and sheet length when compared to a baseline of pure water. The results from these tests can be related to nanoparticles in jet fuel. The surface tension and viscosity of the nanofluid utilizing water can be adjusted by adding additional components to the suspension to mimic the properties of iron nanoparticles in jet fuel. This can allow for safer spray testing of nanofluids utilizing jet fuel. The results from these tests can be used to create a more efficient burn of jet fuel, leading to more efficient engines and eliminating waste.

Presenting Author: Frank Yuscavage Wilkes University

Presenting Author Biography: I am a current graduate student at Wilkes University studying both bioengineering and mechanical engineering. I recently completed my undergraduate mechanical engineering degree in May 2024. I intend this project to be part of my master's thesis. Other than engineering, I also enjoy nature as I am an Eagle Scout and a member of the Wilkes Adventure Education program.

Authors:

Frank Yuscavage Wilkes University
Mohsen Ghamari Wilkes University