The effects of repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharges on ignition time in a pulsed detonation engine

Joseph Lefkowitz, Yiguang Ju, Christopher Stevens, John Hoke, Timothy Ombrello, Frederick Schauer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the effectiveness of a nanosecond duration repetitively-pulsed plasma discharge device for ignition of a pulsed detonation engine was carried out. Ignition of C2H4/air mixtures and aviation gasoline/air mixtures at atmospheric pressure produced a maximum reduction in ignition time of 17% and 25%, respectively, as compared to an automotive aftermarket multiple capacitive-discharge spark ignition system. It was found that the ignition time is reduced as total energy input and pulse repetition frequency is increased. Further investigation of ignition events by Schlieren imaging revealed that at low pulse-repetition frequency (0-5 kHz), individual ignition kernels formed by the discharge do not immediately interact, while at higher pulse-repetition frequencies (≥ 10 kHz) ignition kernels combine and result in a faster transition to a self-propagating flame front.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference
StatePublished - 2013
Event49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Jul 14 2013Jul 17 2013

Publication series

Name49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

Other

Other49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint PropulsionConference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period7/14/137/17/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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