Study of the Atomization and Combustion Characteristics of Aluminum-Containing Gel Fuel Under the Effect of Shock Wave

Investigating the atomization and combustion characteristics of gel fuel under the shock wave loading is of significant importance for its practical applications. In this study, the effects of shock wave intensity on the atomization and ignition characteristics of aluminum-containing gel fuel were experimentally examined using a shock tube. A high-speed camera was employed to capture the atomization and combustion processes. The development of shock waves was monitored by pressure transducers. Results indicated that the aluminum-containing gel fuel was atomized by the incident shock wave and high-speed gas flow following it. The atomization of gel fuel mainly occurred in the direction of shock wave propagation, forming a plume-like cloud that underwent auto-ignition induced by the reflected shock wave. The flame propagation direction aligned with that of reflected shock wave. As the shock wave strength increased, the intensity of gel fuel combustion was enhanced, characterized by higher peak temperature and shorter combustion duration. For the gel fuel containing 10% aluminum particle, its peak temperature increased from 2083 K to 2141 K and its combustion duration decreased from 2.64 ms to 1.44 ms as shock wave intensity increased from Ma = 2.94 to 3.24. Similarly, for gel fuel containing 30 aluminum content, the peak temperature increased from 2305 K to 2318 K, and the combustion duration decreased from 2.52 ms to 1.16 ms. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the ignition and combustion characteristics of metallized gel fuel.