Synchrotron and Neutron Users' Group  
  
 
 
 
 

 
 

Applications

Imaging Fuel Sprays


Optimum fuel-injector flow is key to efficient combustion and reduced pollution. Fuel spray is opaque and fast moving; imaging requires the brilliance of x-rays only available at a synchrotron source.

Research from a collaboration between DOE and the ANL Center for Transportation revealed unexpected supersonic flow (shockwave) in injector fuel spray.

image of fuel spray

X-ray phase contrast image of fuel injector plunger (left) and x-ray absorption image of fuel spray (right).