Mathematical Models and Numerical Methods for High-Fidelity Simulation of Ignition of Reactive Mixtures by Nanosecond Plasma Discharges in Realistic Configurations

Journal Article · Mon Feb 02 00:00:00 EST 2026 · Combustion Theory and Modelling

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/13647830.2026.2621925· OSTI ID:3019232

Duarte Gomez, Alfredo ^[1]; Deak, Nicholas ^[2]; Esclapez, Lucas ^[2]; Day, Marcus ^[2]; Bisetti, Fabrizio ^[1]

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1. The University of Texas at Austin
2. National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)

We present a newly developed framework for the numerical simulation of ignition of reactive mixtures using single or repeated nanosecond discharge pulses. The framework builds upon the AMReX library, using the existing compressible solver PeleC and low-Mach solver PeleLMeX and allowing for adaptive mesh refinement, complex geometries, and execution on next-generation high-performance computing (HPC) systems. High-fidelity elementary models are adopted for weakly-ionised plasma discharges with significant energy deposition, consistent with nanosecond discharge pulses, and then implemented in the solver. The treatment of non-thermal electrons and charged species, thermodynamics of non-equilbrium species, plasma kinetics, limiting time scales, and boundary conditions for charged species are discussed and addressed for computational efficiency. The framework is demonstrated for three relevant applications: single and multi-pulse discharges in air, single pulse ignition of an ethylene/air mixture, and a three-dimensional plasma discharge in air with temperature stratification. The successful application of the framework demonstrates the feasibility of high-fidelity simulation of ignition of air/hydrocarbon mixtures in three-dimensions with multiple discharge pulses.

• Research Organization: National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR); National Science Foundation (NSF)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 3019232
• Report Number(s): NLR/JA-2C00-91341
• Journal Information: Combustion Theory and Modelling, Journal Name: Combustion Theory and Modelling
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
high-fidelity models
ignition
nanosecond discharge pulses
plasma assisted combustion