Abstract
A simplified dimensional analysis has been made of the fuel-air mixing problem in diesel engines. The dimensionless variables describing the mixing pattern have been expressed in terms of the dimensionless variables describing the engine and fuel injection conditions by means of explicit equations with numerical values for the constants. A wide range of such equations has been derived and tables of numerical values are given as examples, together with examples of engine air motion calculations for comparison. A theoretical expression for fuel-spray penetration into a cross-wind has been compared with a few experimental results. Engine smoke and specific consumption measurements have been plotted against the appropriate dimensionless variables in two instances. In both instances the response of the engine to the variables is quite different. It is believed that the wide range of methods of engine performance data analysis outlined in this paper will make a significant contribution to progress in understanding diesel engine combustion.

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