DNS and LES of spark ignition with an automotive coil

The cycle to cycle combustion variability which is observed in spark-ignition engines is often caused by fluctuations of the early flame development. LES can be exploited for a better understanding and mastering of their origins. For that purpose appropriate models taking into account energy deposition, mixture ignition and transition to propagation are necessary requirements. This paper presents first DNS and LES of spark ignition with a real automotive coil and simplified pin-pin electrodes. The electrical circuit characteristics are provided by ISSIM while the energy deposition is modelled by Lagrangian particles. The ignition model is first evaluated in terms of initial spark radius on a pin-pin ignition experiment in pure air performed at CORIA and EM2C laboratories, showing that it pilots the radius of the torus formed by the initial shock wave. DNS of a quiescent lean propane/air mixture are then performed with this ignition system and a two-step mechanism. The impact of the modelled transferred energy during glow phase as well as the initial arc radius on the minimum ignition energy (MIE) are examined and compared to experimental values. Replacing the two-step chemistry by an analytically reduced mechanism leads to similar MIE but shows a different ignition kernel shape. Finally, LES of turbulent ignition using a Lagrangian arc model show a realistic prediction of the arc shape and its important role on the energy transfer location and thus on the flame kernel shape.