Practical Applications for Emerging Plasma-Assisted Combustion Technology
- CU Aerospace, L.L.C.
- University of Illnois at Urbana-Champaign
CU Aerospace, L.L.C. reports on progress of a plasma-assisted combustion technology program funded by a DOE SBIR Phase I award (Grant# DE-SC0020814). The project titled “Practical Applications for Emerging Plasma-Assisted Combustion Technology,” has the goal of advancing compact plasma-assisted combustion technology for natural gas in commercial applications such as on-demand water heaters and industrial furnaces. This project explored innovative techniques of plasma-excitation applied to combustion flows using magnetically-guided atmospheric discharges as a core technology. CU Aerospace, L.L.C. (CUA) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have recently applied this technique to vortex generation for aerodynamic flow control. In this approach, a constricted glow discharge (arc-filament) is generated in the gap of coaxial electrodes positioned in the field of a strong rare-earth magnet. Drift motion of charged particles in the magnetic field results in the production of a Lorentz force, such that the filament sweeps about the center of the coaxial electrodes. To observers, this takes on the apparent form of a plasma “disc” at the tip of the coax. In the current DOE SBIR project, this plasma flow control technique was modified for plasma-assisted combustion (PAC), by replacing the coax barrier with dielectric channels through which fuel and oxidizer were injected, electronically-excited, and mixed in the wake of the plasma filament. The approach effectively combines action of gliding arc types with swirled-flow reactors. The research goals of the project were to catalog fundamental behaviors of this core concept, benchmark performance of novel designs with comparison to alternatives, and define practical approaches for integration into commercial burners. In Phase I, the research team studied plasma-assisted combustion of methane in air, conducted preliminary research to improve plasma-flame interactions, and investigated influences of new plasma-actuator configurations on flame characteristics and stability limits. The Phase I studies were aimed at evaluating key concepts of (1) integrating an arc-magnet actuator into a flame-holder testbed, (2) experimental characterization of plasma-assisted combustion devices, (3) preliminary prototype development, and (4) future applications and commercialization. Phase I analyses and testing provided a preliminary design which can be developed into a robust commercial prototype in Phase II, to support further R&D and commercialization efforts. Potential markets for this technology are high-efficiency gas-turbine engines with improved turn-down ratio, advanced commercial and residential furnaces and boilers, and compact on-demand hybrid (gas-electric) water heaters. Matured plasma-assisted combustion technology has strong potential to impact consumption and monetization of natural gas stores, with benefits of efficient flame operation and reduced pollution. Proposed work will investigate combustion efficiency, control, and stability enhancements using magnetically-guided plasma filaments, seeking commercially-viable designs for natural gas power-generation and heating equipment.
- Research Organization:
- CU Aerospace, L.L.C.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0020814
- OSTI ID:
- 1777327
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase I)
- Report Number(s):
- CUA-FR-20-10; CUA-FR-20-10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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03 NATURAL GAS
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
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plasma assisted combustion
low temperature plasma
cyclotronic arc plasma actuator
magnetic gliding arc
methane combustion
propane combustion
tankless water heaters
furnaces
boilers
swirling flow stabilized flames
kHz AC plasma actuation devices
NOX
reburn