scholarly journals Evaluation of the Ignition Effect in Constant Volume Combustion Chamber Based on Matching Effect of High Voltage (MEHV) Method

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 5084
Author(s):  
Kwonse Kim ◽  
Jaeyoung Han ◽  
Seokyeon Im

The characteristics of spark ignition with a constant volume combustion chamber (CVCC) is evaluated for the efficiency of capacitive-assisted ignition (CAI), such as spark kernel and flame growth. The conventional spark method and matching effect of high voltage (MEHV) method are evaluated to compare the spark growth distribution characteristics. To do this study, a plasma system is used and is consisted of input power, three capacitors, a transformer, high voltage cable, J-type of a spark plug, diode, and CVCC. The experiment is conducted under various operating conditions, such as 1 bar, 295 K of initial temperature, 50, 100, 150 V of ignition box, 400 V of MEHV, 0.7 ms of spark duration, and 0 kΩ of plug resistor. The results show that the spark growth at the initial voltages of 100 V and 150 V has the same characteristic, and the surface area is increased by 13 mm2 at 150 V compared to 100 V because capacitance energy stored in three capacitors is efficiently induced by the effect of dielectric breakdown and electron collision. Consequently, the spark growth of MEVH is widely distributed atmospheric more than the conventional spark, and the internal temperature of the spark kernel could be presumed to change the non-thermal plasma to thermal plasma by MEHV.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadrasool Morovatiyan ◽  
Martia Shahsavan ◽  
John Hunter Mack

A constant volume combustion chamber (CVCC) was constructed to enable material synthesis procedures that are sensitive to temperature, pressure, and ambient species concentrations. Material synthesis processes require specific operating conditions in order to carry out the desired chemical reactions and property transformations, including the creation of paper-templated metals and nanoparticles. The 1.13 liter combustion chamber includes a test stand for conducting the material synthesis experiments. A premixed fuel-air mixture is ignited at a desired equivalence ratio in order to produce the required synthesis conditions. In comparison to furnaces and ovens, this approach provides greater flexibility for materials synthesis procedures. Computational modeling using adaptive mesh refinement, alongside preliminary experimental testing results, confirms that the CVCC can provide the appropriate conditions to synthesize paper-templated metals. The approach demonstrates that the CVCC can be a viable alternative to a furnace for use in materials synthesis applications.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
James Shaffer ◽  
Omid Askari ◽  
Saeid Zare

Abstract Previous methods of achieving ignition in the Plasma, Combustion and Fluid imaging (PCFi) Laboratory's Constant Volume Combustion Chamber (CVCC) utilizes either a standard or modified spark plug. The standard spark plug achieves a representation of side wall ignition (similar to a combustion engine) while modified spark plug has an extended electrode to allow for a center camber ignition used for laminar burning speed (LBS) measurements. The creation of the modified spark plug required welding a stainless-steel wire to the electrode of the plug. The creation of these electrodes is time consuming and requires a large quantity to effectively test a wide range of parameters such as gap size or electrode geometry. Two custom-design electrodes are presented in this paper which extend the experimental range of the PCFi's CVCC system. Electrode Design A, gives the ability to test thin wire electrode with adjustability of gap size and different diameters through use of a compression fitting. This electrode design (i.e., tip-to-tip) is utilized with a traditional style of automotive ignition system (i.e., capacitive discharge) to study ignition process (i.e., thermal plasma) and spherical flame propagation. Electrode Design B, adds the ability to change tip geometry (i.e., plate-to-plate, tip-to-plate, tip-to-sphere, plate-to-sphere, etc). In this paper the plate-to-plate configuration is demonstrated to study uniform low-temperature nanosecond plasma discharge. Both electrode designs reduce structural weakness by removing the welded joint and allow for linear gap size adjustment. The electrode utilizes high-temperature epoxy, ceramic and grafoil seals to make parameter adjustments easy and precise. The design was analyzed, prior to building and testing, based on the stress induced from the sealant, the total rated voltage, the rated temperature and the fracture stress of the ceramic material. The stress induced in the electrodes was analyzed with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the results were found to be within the limits of the material in terms of the compressive and fracture strengths. The maximum voltage was found to be around 30 kV. Design A is presented with 3 different electrode diameters of 1.3, 1 and 0.5 mm and Design B which utilizes a threaded connection for adjustable tip geometry. A sample of data, visual and electrical, is presented for the newly created electrode with a 0.5 mm diameter as well as combustion images for up to 10 atm of initial pressure for methane-air mixture. The new electrode design was able to survive several months of experimental use with few issues compared with the previous welded design.


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