Photographic study of plasma ignition systems

Journal Article · Mon Feb 25 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Soc. Auto. Eng. Tech. Pap. Ser.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4271/850077· OSTI ID:6672592

Edwards, C F; Stewart, H E; Oppenheim, A K

A photographic study was conducted using an optical-access compression-expansion machine in order to reveal the mechanism of ignition and flame propagation initiated by plasma igniters. The test included a jet igniter with inert cavity liner (quartz), a jet igniter with reactive cavity liner (paraffin), and a J-gap spark plug. Schlieren cinematographic records were obtained for each condition along with concomitant pressure traces. Basic features of ignition and combustion at lean limit were determined for each igniter. The spark plug permitted lean operation down to an equivalence ratio of 0.7, after which mis-ignition occurred. Jet igniters, these limits were imposed by either extinction of the flame or two slow burning rate, rather than by misfire. 11 references, 5 figures, 13 plates.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6672592
• Journal Information: Soc. Auto. Eng. Tech. Pap. Ser.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Auto. Eng. Tech. Pap. Ser.; (United States); ISSN SAESD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
42 ENGINEERING
421000 -- Engineering-- Combustion Systems
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
IGNITION SYSTEMS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
OXIDATION
PHOTOGRAPHY
PLASMA JETS
SCHLIEREN METHOD
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES