Selected Results of the Collaborative Research Center "Droplet Dynamics under Extreme Ambient Conditions" SFB/TRR 75

Abstract

[EN] The Collaborative Research Center (CRC) SFB-TRR 75 was established in January 2010 to focus on the dynamics of basic drop processes, and in particular on processes involving extreme boundary conditions, for example, near thermodynamic critical conditions, very low temperatures, under strong electric fields or in situations involving extremely large gradients. The CRC is a joint initiative of the University of Stuttgart, the TU Darmstadt and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen, operating with 17 projects structured into three main research areas and involving researchers from numerous faculties: Mathematics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Informatics and Computer Sciences. Some of the topics pursued at the CRC include • The behaviour of supercooled and potentially electrified droplets in clouds • The impact of Supercooled Large Droplets (SLD) on aircraft icing • The behaviour of strongly electrified drops on insulator surfaces, which can be found on high voltage power lines, affecting the partial discharge behaviour and performance and durability of the insulator. • Trans-critical injection conditions of fuel with flash boiling in rocket combustion chambers • Atomization and vaporization of droplets at high pressures and temperature, as occurring in future combustion systems This article provides an overview of the projects being carried out at the SFB-TRR 75 and highlights scientific results from selected subprojects. The main purpose of the paper is to familiarize colleagues with this extensive and dedicated research effort in the area of drop dynamics and to motivate and initiate future collaboration with others in this field.