The objective of this article is to point out the ability of the multiphase flow DNS (Direct Numerical Simulation) to help to understand basic physics and to interpret some experimental observations. To illustrate the DNS potential to give access to key phenomena involved in reactive multiphase flows, several recent results obtained by the authors are summed up with a bridge to experimental results. It includes droplet dispersion, laminar spray flame instability, spray combustion regimes or acoustic modulation effect on a two-phase flow Bunsen burner. As a perspective, two-phase flow DNS auto-ignition is considered thanks to a skeletal mechanism for the n-heptane chemistry involving 29 species and 52 reactions. Results highlight evaporating droplet effects on the auto-ignition process that is generally dramatically modified by spray distribution resulting from the turbulent fluid motion. This paper shows that DNS is a powerful tool to understand the intricate coupling between the evaporating spray, the turbulent fluid motion and the detailed chemistry, inseparable in the experimental context.