Improvement of Lean Limit and Fuel Consumption Using Microwave Plasma Ignition Technology

Nishiyama, Atsushi; Ikeda, Yuji

doi:10.4271/2012-01-1139

Cited by 42 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…100 Ikeda developed a microwave-assisted spark ignition system that couples the spark discharge with microwave transmission to enhance the ignition plasma, with the coupling concept illustrated in Figure 30. 38,[101][102][103] The spark breakdown was triggered by the high voltage generated by a standard ignition coil, while the microwave was transmitted to the spark plug gap via a mixer unit. The microwave-assisted spark ignition can achieve plasma breakdown under a high-density environment.…”

Section: Microwave Plasma Ignitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The addition of microwave significantly expanded the plasma once the spark breakdown created the plasma channel; therefore, a large ignition volume was achieved. In an earlier development of the microwave-assisted spark ignition system, 38,101,102 the microwave was generated by a magnetron, with power electronics controlling the energization synchronized to the spark discharge. The coupling of the spark ignition and microwave were implemented with impedance matching networks to transmit the microwave.…”

Section: Radio-frequency Ignitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Future gasoline engine ignition: A review on advanced concepts

Zheng

2020

International Journal of Engine Research

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To meet the future requirements of fuel economy and exhaust emissions, high-efficiency gasoline engines tend to employ diluted combustion concepts along with intensified charge motion and stratified mixtures. Securing the ignition of such mixtures over the full engine operation range is challenging, because of the lowered mixture reactivity and increased discrepancy of stoichiometry. In recent years, increasing research efforts have been spending on innovations of ignition technologies to tackle the challenges. In this paper, the directions of ignition improvement are highlighted based on the fundamental understanding of the ignition mechanisms. The working principles of the primary types of advanced ignition systems are introduced; and relevant engine and combustion vessel test results are reviewed. The ignition systems are categorized as: (1) high-energy spark ignition, (2) pulsed nanosecond discharge ignition, (3) radio-frequency plasma ignition, (4) laser-induced plasma ignition, and (5) pre-chamber ignition. The advanced ignition systems are commented, regarding the ignition effectiveness and the implementation challenges, according to the literatures and the extensive empirical work at the authors’ laboratory.

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Section: Microwave Plasma Ignitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Radio-frequency Ignitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future gasoline engine ignition: A review on advanced concepts

Zheng

2020

International Journal of Engine Research

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“…The high-energy electrons produced during the electrical discharge are supposed to be responsible for electron impact resulting in the formation of radicals that drive the ignition and enhance the combustion process. This technology can lead to a multi-point ignition in the cylinder, which can significantly increase the combustion efficiency and reduce the harmful emissions [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microwave plasma ignition process of methane and air mixture under high pressure

Wang

Zhang

Liu

et al. 2013

2013 19th IEEE Pulsed Power Conference (PPC)

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Since the 21st century, searching for new ways and approaches toimprove efficiency and to reduce exhaust gases of internal combustion engines has never been ceased. One of these innovation technologies is microwave plasma ignition. And this paper describes an applicable method for microwave plasma ignition. This method was realized in a metal closed cavity which imitates the combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine. The mixture of methane and air was successfully ignited by microwave plasma under 5~10 bar. The igniting process was recorded by a high-speed CCD camera and the curve of pressure was synchronously measured. These results were compared with the ignition process excited by a spark plug. The results show that the combustion ignited by microwave plasma is much more vigorous than by spark plug. The peak of pressure is higher in microwave plasma ignition. But the time characteristics of pressure curves show little difference between microwave plasma ignition and spark plug ignition.

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“…However, the plasma jet igniter is based on the external gas source, which increases the complexity of the whole ignition system and becomes an obstacle to its application. Researchers have also proposed other types of ignition methods, such as nanosecond pulse plasma-assisted ignition [12], radio frequency plasma ignition [13], microwave plasma-assisted ignition [14,15], laser plasma-assisted ignition [16,17], DC plasma ignition [18], and so on. However, there is still much work to be done due to the severe electromagnetic interference of the nanosecond pulse discharge, the complex power supply, and the fairly large size and weight of radio-frequency (RF) discharge and microwave discharge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Way to Enhance the Spark Plasma-Assisted Ignition for an Aero-Engine Under Low Pressure

et al. 2018

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Finding a new ignition strategy for ignition enhancement in a lean-burn combustor has always been the biggest challenge for high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is of great importance for the development of high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft to improve the secondary ignition ability of the aero-engine at high altitude where the ignition capability of the aero-engine igniter rapidly declines. An innovative ignition mode is therefore urgently needed. A novel plasma-assisted ignition method based on a multichannel discharge jet-enhanced spark (MDJS) was proposed in this study. Compared to the conventional spark igniter (SI), the arc discharge energy of the MDJS was increased by 13.6% at 0.12 bar and by 14.7% at 0.26 bar. Furthermore, the spark plasma penetration depth of the MDJS was increased by 49% and 103% at 0.12 bar and 0.26 bar, respectively. The CH* radicals showed that the MDJS obtained a larger initial spark kernel and reached a higher spark plasma penetration depth, which helped accelerate the burning velocity. Ignition tests in a model swirl combustor showed that the lean ignition limit was extended 24% from 0.034 to 0.026 at 25 m/s with 20 °C kerosene and 17% from 0.075 to 0.062 at 12 m/s with −30 °C kerosene maximally. The MDJS was a unique plasma-assisted ignition method, activated by the custom ignition power supply instead of a special power supply with an extra gas source. The objective of this study was to provide a novel multichannel discharge jet-enhanced spark ignition strategy which would help to increase the arc discharge energy, the spark plasma penetration depth and the activated area without changing the power supply system and to improve the safety and performance of aero-engines.

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Improvement of Lean Limit and Fuel Consumption Using Microwave Plasma Ignition Technology

Cited by 42 publications

References 24 publications

Future gasoline engine ignition: A review on advanced concepts

Future gasoline engine ignition: A review on advanced concepts

Microwave plasma ignition process of methane and air mixture under high pressure

A Novel Way to Enhance the Spark Plasma-Assisted Ignition for an Aero-Engine Under Low Pressure

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