Ozone and plasma-assisted deflagration to detonation transition of dimethyl ether in a microchannel

This study aimed to understand the plasma assisted low temperature ignition influence on Detonation to Deflagration Transitions (DDT) in a microchannel at atmospheric pressure by using dimethyl ether (DME). At first, we examined the effect of ozone chemical sensitization on DDT. The kinetic effect of O radial addition via ozone dissociation on DDT for DME was investigated. In the second experiment, a dielectric barrier discharge is used for mixture pre-excitation to increase the chemical reactivity for fast DDT. Non-equilibrium plasma creates fast and slow heating of a mixture due to electronic excitation and vibration-rotation energy transfer. Moreover, it produces active species such as atomic oxygen and electronically excited nitrogen and oxygen molecules which can significantly enhance low temperature and high temperature oxidation of fuel and thus accelerate ignition processes dramatically. The effects of plasma generated active species and plasma fast and slow heating on DDT is investigated. The present experiments will provide insights to control engine knock and DDT in advanced engines.