Experimental analysis of a double-spark ignition system

The spark that ignites the combustible mixtures is a discharge produced between the electrodes of a spark plug, connected to the secondary of a coil at the high voltage. Optimum combustion requires a steady spark, in a volume as large as is possible, and with maximum energy. We propose a solution to increase the plasma volume and present electrical discharge parameters as a function of inter-electrode distances, pressures in the test-reactor and the width of the electrical pulses of the power supply.     

Ultrasonic-assisted spark plasma discharge for gold nanoparticles synthesis

We examine the ultrasonic-assisted spark discharge in gold nanoparticles production. A 1 kHz pulsed power supply is used to generate spark discharge plasma. The appropriate range of peak power (pulse peak current) for nanoparticles production was determined by the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method. Colloidal gold nanoparticles were synthesized in 100 mL deionized water and pure ethanol as liquid dielectrics. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs show that the nanoparticles diameter in the deionized water is larger than in pure ethanol. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographs of the gold nanoparticles also confirm the SEM results with more accuracy. The present study revealed that the ultrasonic wave increases the shape uniformity of the nanoparticles and decreases their size.     

Electric ignition energy evaluation and the energy distribution structure of energy released in electrostatic discharge process

Ignition energy is one of the important parameters of flammable materials, and evaluating ignition energy precisely is essential to the safety of process industry and combustion science and technology. By using electric spark discharge test system, a series of electric spark discharge experiments were conducted with the capacitor-stored energy in the range of 10 J, 100 J, and 1000 J, respectively. The evaluation method for energy consumed by electric spark, wire, and switch during capacitor discharge process has been studied respectively. The resistance of wire, switch, and plasma between electrodes has been evaluated by different methods and an optimized evaluation method has been obtained. The electric energy consumed by wire, electric switch, and electric spark-induced plasma between electrodes were obtained and the energy structure of capacitor-released energy was analyzed. The dynamic process and the characteristic parameters(the maximum power, duration of discharge process) of electric spark discharge process have been analyzed. Experimental results showed that, electric spark-consumed energy only accounts for 8%–14% of the capacitor-released energy. With the increase of capacitor-released energy, the duration of discharge process becomes longer, and the energy of plasma accounts for more in the capacitor-released energy. The power of electric spark varies with time as a damped sinusoids function and the period and the maximum value increase with the capacitor-released energy.     

气体火花开关初始放电等离子体演化过程

气体火花开关的初始放电过程对研究其工作状态有着非常重要的影响,通过基于网格粒子法-直接蒙特卡罗法(PIC-DSMC)耦合算法模拟了气体火花开关从放电开始到等离子体通道初步形成的完整过程,得到了电子和离子的数密度时空分布变化,分析了间隙中电场分布随时间变化规律,完整清晰地揭示了气体火花开关从放电初始到等离子体通道初步形成的物理过程,并初步开展了气体火花开关击穿过程的光学诊断实验,为进一步深入研究气体火花开关的物理机理打下了基础。     

Simulation of ignition of a supersonic flow of a propane-air mixture by electric discharge

The numerical simulation of the ignition process of a supersonic flow of a preliminary mixed propane-air mixture by electric discharge, with respect to power, geometry, and the duration of energy input, was carried out via a two-dimensional thermo-chemical model. The ignition thresholds evaluated in the framework of this model were in agreement with the experimental values of power density and induction duration.     

镁颗粒群非稳态着火过程数值模拟

建立了镁颗粒群着火的一维非稳态有限影响体模型, 数值模拟颗粒群中镁颗粒的着火过程. 研究表明, 当镁颗粒表面反应加剧之后,颗粒相温度急剧上升, 迅速达到着火, 而其周围气相的温升速率却远小于颗粒的温升速率; 在着火过程中气相温度只在颗粒表面附近升高比较明显, 整体温度升高不大. 分析了颗粒群内部参数和环境参数对镁颗粒群着火的影响. 随颗粒浓度的增加, 颗 粒群变得易于着火, 其着火时间变短, 但颗粒浓度增大到一定程度后, 继续增大该值将对颗粒群的着火起消极作用. 环境压力对颗粒群着火的影响比较小,在1-5 atm范围内颗粒群的着火性能基本不变. 气相中氧气浓度对颗粒群的着火性能影响也不显著, 但当氧气浓度过小时, 对着火过程的影响将大大增强.颗粒粒径、气相/颗粒相初温、辐射源温度对颗粒 群着火的影响巨大,小粒径、高温度促使颗粒群快速着火.数值模拟与文献中试验 结果的变化趋势相一致.     

Combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

A combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy is investigated. Depositing Au nanoparticles at the surface of a brass target can enhance the coupling of the target and the laser. More atoms in the brass sample are excited. As a secondary excitation source, spark discharge reheats the generated plasma, which further amplifies the enhancement results of nanoparticles. The spectral intensity with the spark discharge increases more obviously with nanoparticle concentration increasing than without the spark discharge. Also, plasma temperature and electron density are calculated by the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening. The changes in the plasma temperature and electron density are consistent with the spectral emission changes.     

气体火花开关放电的数值模拟

基于Rompe-Weizel火花动态电阻公式,数值计算了电容器经火花开关放电时负载电阻上的输出电压。在相同电参数条件下,计算所得的峰值电压为54 kV,前沿为2.0 ns,与实验所得的55 kV和2.3 ns基本吻合。基于Braginskii火花动态电阻公式,在假定火花开关电导率恒定与电导率渐变的条件下,利用传输线放电电路数值计算了气体火花开关的非线性动态电阻。与已有实验测量结果(0.7～0.9 Ω)对比,发现电导率渐变模型(0.5～0.8 Ω)更适合用于反映火花开关的动态电阻变化过程。进而在此模型中引入了负载电阻项,通过计算负载端的透射电流,数值计算得单脉冲形成线对负载放电时的电压脉冲前沿为7～9 ns,而利用单线经高压氢气自击穿火花开关放电得到初步实验结果为8 ns。     

火花放电电极结构及其等离子体反应器

在阐述火花放电机制与等离子体特性基础上,着重探讨了火花放电的电极结构与等离子体反应器。新研制的电极旋转的新型 kHz 交流火花放电反应器,在甲烷裂解制乙炔和甲烷与二氧化碳重整制合成气应用研究中,其放电稳定性、反应物转化率、产物浓度和能量效率等指标,均明显优于其它放电反应器。     

镁颗粒群着火和燃烧过程数值模拟

建立了一维非稳态球形镁颗粒群的着火燃烧模型, 数值模拟镁颗粒群的着火和燃烧过程, 研究表明, 颗粒群着火首先发生在颗粒群边界, 随后初始的燃烧火焰会分离为两个, 一个向颗粒群内部传播, 一个向外部传播, 最终内部火焰消失, 外部火焰维持并控制着整个颗粒群的燃烧; 内火焰向颗粒群内部传播过程中, 传播速度会逐渐加快, 且火焰温度值呈逐渐降低趋势. 分析了颗粒群内部参数和环境参数对镁颗粒群着火燃烧的影响. 随颗粒浓度的增大, 颗粒群着火时间略有增长, 但火焰传播速度更快, 燃烧稳定时火焰球尺寸也更大. 颗粒群初温越高, 则颗粒群着火时间越短, 火焰传播速度也会加快, 但燃烧稳定时火焰球尺寸基本不变. 环境温度对颗粒群着火燃烧的影响较复杂, 环境温度越高, 颗粒群着火时间越短, 但火焰传播速度却越慢, 燃烧稳定时火焰球尺寸变化很小. 颗粒粒径和辐射源温度对颗粒群着火燃烧的影响较显著, 颗粒粒径越小或辐射源温度越高, 则颗粒群着火时间越短, 火焰传播速度越快, 燃烧稳定时火焰球尺寸也越大. 数值模拟结果与文献中试验结果相一致. 关键词： 粉末燃料冲压发动机 镁着火燃烧 颗粒群     

Modeling of pulsed spark discharge in water and its application to well cleaning

This paper presents a simulation model for the generation of strong pressure wave by means of pulsed spark discharge in water and its application to well cleaning. In the simulation model, one-dimensional time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic equations are coupled to a capacitive discharge circuit equation. A cylindrical conducting spark channel formed by electrical breakdown of water gap between a pair of electrodes is treated as a load of which resistance and inductance are allowed to change with time. For describing the spark channel properties accurately, precise calculations on thermodynamic properties and electrical conductivity are included in the simulation model. The simulation results show an excellent agreement with the experimentally measured shock pressure as well as the current and voltage waveforms. The simulation reveals that Joule heating of the spark channel during the very early phase of electrical discharge plays a key role in the formation of shock wave in water. The voltage on a capacitor at breakdown, the circuit inductance, and the resistance of the spark channel are found to be the most important parameters for the shock wave formation. With this technique, a pilot test for the cleaning of a clogged well has been performed in a water well which was constructed as a test-bed for riverbank filtration near the Anseong-cheon (river) in Korea. Well treatments have been carried out with an electrical energy of 510 J stored on a pulsed power system, at which the maximum shock pressure is measured to be around 7 MPa at the position of the well screen, i.e. 0.1 m away from the spark gap. A slug test shows 2.9 times improvement in the hydraulic conductivity of the well, which, combined with a visual inspection inside the well using an underwater camera, clearly demonstrates that the strong pressure wave generated by underwater spark discharge can effectively remove almost all incrustations formed in the well screen and thus improve well performance. Operating parameters for controlling the strength of shock pressure are discussed using the simulation model for extensive applications of the present technique to various types of water wells.     

Laser-induced spark for simultaneous ignition and fuel-to-air ratio measurements

This work investigates the use of laser-induced gas breakdown for simultaneously igniting and measuring fuel-to-air ratio of CH₄–air and H₂–air combustible mixtures. The fuel-to-air ratio is determined using the measured spectral peak ratio I_o,Hα/I_o,OI. Sparks are produced using a single-mode, Q-switched Nd–YAG laser. The laser produces a beam of 6 mm in diameter at the wavelength of 1064 nm and pulse duration of 5.5 ns. The beam optics is designed to have mainly a beam splitter and a focusing lens. The beam splitter is coated to reflect the laser beam and transmit emission lines with wavelengths from 600 to 900 nm which are then collected by a fiberoptic cable and detected by an imaging spectrometer–detector assembly. The results showed a linear dependence of the spectral peak ratio on the equivalence ratio that can be generally expressed by φ=a(I_o,Hα/I_o,OI)+b, where a and b are the parameters that depend on the gas pressure. Using the least-square curve fitting technique to fit the experimental data, a calibration curve for calculating the equivalence ratio as a function of the ratio of (I_o,Hα/I_o,OI) was generated.     

Electrostatic dust explosion hazards – towards a <1 mJ synchronized-spark generator for determination of MIEs of ignition sensitive transient dust clouds

In current standard MIE tests for dusts various methods are proposed for synchronizing the electric spark with the transient dust cloud, but they all have a lower spark energy limit of 1–3 mJ. Some industrial dusts have MIEs in air significantly lower than 1 mJ. There is a need, therefore, for a synchronization method that works below 1 mJ. The present paper describes an improved version of the synchronized-spark generator developed by Randeberg et al. [25]. Adequate performance of the improved generator is indicated by a comparison of the MIE obtained for propane/air with values published by other workers.     

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.     

Thin-film deposition by combining plasma jet with spark discharge source at atmospheric pressure

This study demonstrates a method for the deposition of CuO_x thin films by combining atmospheric pressure plasma jet with spark discharge. In this type of discharge source, the bulk copper material of spark discharge electrodes plays the role of a precursor. Copper atoms and particles go through the physical processes of sputtering, evaporation, and further agglomeration and condensation in the plasma jet and on the substrate. The experiments were carried out with and without a combination of discharges. The material coated on the substrate was studied using a scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The characteristics of the set-up and plasma, such as I-V curves, optical emission spectra, and substrate temperature, were also measured. Copper electrodes were examined for erosion by a scanning electron microscope. The results demonstrate that deposits coated by combined discharge show denser and thicker films.     

Multipoint radiation induced ignition of dust explosions: turbulent clustering of particles and increased transparency

Understanding the causes and mechanisms of large explosions, especially dust explosions, is essential for minimising devastating hazards in many industrial processes. It is known that unconfined dust explosions begin as primary (turbulent) deflagrations followed by a devastating secondary explosion. The secondary explosion may propagate with a speed of up to 1000 m/s producing overpressures of over 8–10 atm, which is comparable with overpressures produced in detonation. Since detonation is the only established theory that allows rapid burning producing a high pressure that can be sustained in open areas, the generally accepted view was that the mechanism explaining the high rate of combustion in dust explosions is deflagration-to-detonation transition. In the present work we propose a theoretical substantiation of an alternative mechanism explaining the origin of the secondary explosion producing high speeds of combustion and high overpressures in unconfined dust explosions. We show that the clustering of dust particles in a turbulent flow ahead of the advancing flame front gives rise to a significant increase of the thermal radiation absorption length. This effect ensures that clusters of dust particles are exposed to and heated by radiation from hot combustion products of dust explosions for a sufficiently long time to become multi-point ignition kernels in a large volume ahead of the advancing flame. The ignition times of a fuel–air mixture caused by radiatively heated clusters of particles is considerably reduced compared with the ignition time caused by an isolated particle. Radiation-induced multipoint ignitions of a large volume of fuel–air ahead of the primary flame efficiently increase the total flame area, giving rise to the secondary explosion, which results in the high rates of combustion and overpressures required to account for the observed level of overpressures and damage in unconfined dust explosions, such as for example the 2005 Buncefield explosion and several vapour cloud explosions of severity similar to that of the Buncefield incident.     

Energy measurement of spark discharge using different triggering methods and inductance loads

Spark discharge experiments with different nominal energy (100–1000 mJ) and inductance loads (0.024 or 1.454 mH) were carried out using different trigger methods. A Tektronix oscilloscope with a high-voltage probe and a current probe was used to record the dynamic voltage and current. The influence of inductance and trigger method on the discharge efficiency and discharge time were investigated. It was found that, when the discharge was triggered by electrode movement, the discharge efficiency ranged from 78.2% to 90.1% in case of without inductor, and ranged from 41.1% to 59.3% in case of with inductor.     

Antibacterial activity of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles produced by spark discharge in deionized water

Inorganic antibacterial agents such as metal nanoparticles (NPs) are very important in biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. There are many methods of synthesizing these NPs, but all of them have their own disadvantages. In this study, ultrasonic‐assisted spark discharge is employed to produce colloidal silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs which are stable without using any stabilizers or surfactants. Different tests such as X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy are used for the characterization of the quantity and quality of these NPs, and their antibacterial activity is evaluated by the disk diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations against Escherichia coli . The results show that the overall antibacterial activity of Ag NPs is higher than that of ZnO NPs.     

电路断路后火花产生过程的分析

分析了小电阻大自感的直流电路中断开电源时回路中火花的形成及其规律，澄清了常见的电路断开时火花出现原因的不确切的解释。     

Complex chemistry simulations of spark ignition in turbulent sprays

Three-dimensional DNS of two-phase flows with the point-source approximation and with complex chemistry for n-heptane has been used to extract physical information on the structure of igniting kernels following localised heat deposition in turbulent monodisperse sprays. Consistent with experiment, small sparks fail to ignite and sprays ignite later than premixed gaseous mixtures. Reaction rates are intense in spherical zones near droplets and much lower in the interdroplet spacing, resulting in a highly wrinkled flame surface. The propagation of these reaction zones was observed. The flame shows a locally non-premixed character, with reactions proceeding at a wide range of mixture fractions, which increases as evaporation progresses. The distribution of various chemical species is presented. The results constitute a database for model validation and physical analysis.