IAS Visiting Fellow Dr Peng Zhang delivers a seminar on their research, fully titled "Dynamics of Droplet-Droplet Collision - Advancing Predictive Spray Combustion Models for a Net-Zero Future" -
Droplet-droplet collision is a fundamental process in both natural phenomena and industrial applications, serving as a microcosm of multi-scale fluid dynamics. This talk unravels the intricate physics governing collision outcomes—coalescence, bouncing, and separation—beginning with the canonical case of identical droplets. We highlight the interplay between macroscopic droplet kinematics, internal flow dynamics, and microscale interfacial interactions (e.g., rarefied gas films and van der Waals forces), which collectively define the system’s multi-physics behaviour.
Expanding beyond symmetric collisions, we explore complex scenarios involving unequal-sized droplets, non-Newtonian fluids, and dissimilar droplets, alongside analogous jet-jet collisions. By synthesizing these insights, we bridge fundamental fluid dynamics with predictive spray combustion modeling, emphasizing how microscale collision physics can constrain macroscale combustion efficiency and emissions—particularly for low-carbon fuels. This work provides a framework to improve the accuracy of spray combustion simulations, supporting the development of cleaner combustion technologies.
Arrivals from 11:45 am for a 12:00 noon start. For those joining in-person, lunch will be served after the seminar from 1:00pm.
International House can be found here on the campus map.
If these in-person tickets have sold out, you can register for the Zoom webinar here.
