Ignition and flame stabilization by plasma jets in fast gas streams

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0082-0784(85)80680-9Get rights and content

Pulsed and continuous flow plasma jets are used to achieve ignition and flame holding in fast flowing lean hydrocarbon/air streams. Small, steady-flow nitrogen plasma jets with electrical inputs of the order of 1 kW and sonic flow through their nozzles stabilize flames well below the lean limit of flammability for propane, in complete contrast to argon plasmas. Pulsed plasma jets of the surface discharge type also demonstrate the contribution of radicals to successful ignition of sub-limit propane air streams. This is achieved with plasma media ioncluding water and hydrocarbon fuel. The variation of the limit of incendividity with repeated discharges following a single wetting of the plug with the plasma medium shows very long lasting effects and contributes to the understanding of mechahisms. The potential practical applications of these observations are discussed.

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Cited by (16)

  • Plasma assisted combustion: Dynamics and chemistry

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    Recent studies [57–62] have also demonstrated that plasma discharge in pulsed detonation engines (PDE) can shorten the ignition delay time, and facilitate the transition from deflagration to detonation. In applications for gas turbine engines, pulsed and steady plasma jets [63], gliding arc [64], DC electric field [65], and HF streamer discharge [66,67] have been tested to increase flame stabilization. The results have showed that plasma discharge can extend lower lean blowout limit and lean flammability limit.

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