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subepsilon's avatar

At what ultrasonic frequency will gasoline atomize?

Asked by subepsilon (62points) October 23rd, 2010

I am designing an experiment. I need to nebulize gasoline with a driver (like that from an ultrasonic humidifier). What frequency should I attain? Also, what material has the greatest reflectance for sound at this frequency?

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4 Answers

CyanoticWasp's avatar

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I will be watching the newspapers for news of the explosion.

I wouldn’t want to use electrical equipment (such as the ultrasonic humidifier you mention) around atomized gasoline. You’re talking about the same kind of explosive vapor that fuel injectors place into the compression chamber of an internal combustion engine, combine with air and ignite with a spark. In any kind of “room-size” experiment, that could level a house.

So be careful, whatever you do.

Welcome to Fluther, for now, anyway…

notdan's avatar

2.4 MHz, is what turned up for me. Will have to look further or wait for another answer to solve the material issue.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ie0611305

subepsilon's avatar

@CyanoticWasp: that’s exactly the point, actually. I am trying to prove the viability of ultrasonic atomization in a gasoline carburetor (the kind used with just an intake manifold, not the throttle body/fuel injector systems used today). This is only the first stage of the experiment—eventually, I would like to introduce water vapor (perhaps through a multi-stage venturi) to aid in combustion. Good point about the exploding, though—hopefully most of that will be happening inside the engine…

@notdan: Wow, that’s exactly what I need. Now I just need to machine an elliptical void out of a block of material with a very low acoustical absorption and I think I’ll have my starting point.

Thanks for your quick and helpful responses.

notdan's avatar

@subepsilon You’re very welcome. I can help you with research into material if you like. Send me a private message if you’re interested some collaboration. I wont have time to sit down and dedicate to extracurricular research until later in the week, though.

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