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.     

Spontaneous Raman scattering: a useful tool for investigating the afterglow of nanosecond scale discharges in air

Nanosecond scale discharges are considered an interesting way for assisting combustion by enhancing either flame stabilization or ignition. Better understanding of energy deposit and radical species production processes is still required under pressure conditions normally encountered in combustion. The purpose of the present paper is to show that spontaneous Raman scattering, seldom used to investigate nanosecond pulsed discharges, is a useful measurement method for investigating the energy deposit of these discharges. The advantage of spontaneous Raman scattering is described by analyzing N₂ and O₂ spectra during the post-discharge of a filamentary nanosecond air discharge under atmospheric pressure, using phase-locked average spectra. The main advantages of spontaneous Raman scattering measurements are that they allow line-wise probing of different species with the same experimental setup and the determination of vibrational distribution by comparison with theoretical modeling over a wide range of vibrational levels (from v=0 to v=20 for N₂). The model proposed takes into account the high level of vibrational excitation and the strong non-equilibrium observed, allowing the characterization of the vibrational relaxation over the complete post-discharge duration. Although the rotational structure is not resolved, the rotational temperature and thus translational temperature are determined with a moderate uncertainty for T above 500 K.     

Rotational CARS for simultaneous measurements of temperature and concentrations of N2, O2, CO, and CO2 demonstrated in a CO/air diffusion flame

Rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) has over the years demonstrated its strong potential to measure temperature and relative concentrations of major species in combustion. A recent work is the development and experimental validation of a CO₂ model for thermometry, in addition to our previous rotational CARS models for other molecules. In the present work, additional calibration measurements for relative CO₂/N₂ concentrations have been made in the temperature range 294-1246 K in standardized CO₂/N₂ mixtures. Following these calibration measurements, rotational CARS measurements were performed in a laminar CO/air diffusion flame stabilized on a Wolfhard-Parker burner. High-quality spectra were recorded from the fuel-rich region to the surrounding hot air in a lateral cross section of the flame. The spectra were evaluated to obtain simultaneous profiles of temperature and concentrations of all major species; N₂, O₂, CO, and CO₂. The potential for rotational CARS as a multi-species detection technique is discussed in relation to corresponding strategies for vibrational CARS.     

离子分子束源的浓度调制光谱研究

建立了一套交流放电产生离子分子束源的装置,以N₂为例,束流中N＋₂的发射谱强度远大于N₂的发射谱强度,N+₂(B)/N₂(C)高达6∶1。根据其发射谱,对交流放电过程和浓度调制光谱进行了测量研究,并计算了离子分子激发态振动温度和转动温度,分别为3 310和282 K。     

Raman response function of atmospheric air

A model of the full Raman response function of a gas mixture including rotational and vibrational motions of molecules is presented and is applied to examine the properties of the retarded optical nonlinearity of atmospheric air. For few-cycle laser pulses, broadband field waveforms, and/or high gas temperatures, both rotational and vibrational motions can significantly contribute to the Raman response of atmospheric air, with the ratio of the rotational and vibrational parts of the Raman response function controlled by the gas temperature and the temporal shape of the laser field.     

DNS of spark ignition using Analytically Reduced Chemistry including plasma kinetics

In order to guarantee good re-ignition capacities in case of engine failure during flight, it is of prime interest for engine manufacturers to understand the physics of ignition from the spark discharge to the full burner lightning. During the ignition process, a spark plug delivers a very short and powerful electrical discharge to the mixture. A plasma is first created before a flame kernel propagates. The present work focuses on this still misunderstood first instants of ignition, i.e., from the sparking to the flame kernel formation. 3D Direct Numerical Simulations of propane-air ignition sequences induced by an electric discharge are performed on a simple anode-cathode set-up. An Analytically Reduced Chemistry (ARC) including 34 transported species and 586 irreversible reactions is used to describe the coupled combustion and plasma kinetics. The effect of plasma chemistry on the temperature field is found to be non-negligible up to a few microseconds after the spark due to endothermic dissociation and ionization reactions. However, its impact on the subsequent flame kernel development appears to be weak in the studied configuration. This tends to indicate that plasma chemistry does not play a key role in ignition and may be omitted in numerical simulations.     

氩气/甲烷/空气介质阻挡放电等离子体的发射光谱诊断

为了获得可燃气体的放电及等离子体发射光谱特性,进一步揭示等离子体助燃作用下燃料在稀燃状态的点火与燃烧特性,在常压下以氩气作为载气对预混的甲烷和空气进行放电研究。实验基于平行板电极射频(13.56 MHz)介质阻挡放电的等离子体发生装置,首先在常压下对体积分数为90%氩气/10%空气的混合气体开展放电研究;再在90%氩气含量不变的情况下,调节空气含量并加入与之能形成燃烧化学当量比Φ＝1的甲烷,氩气/甲烷/空气的混合气体同样能实现稳定而均匀的放电;最后分别在90%氩气含量不变,甲烷和空气在当量比为Φ＝0.4～1.9六种情况下进行放电实验。由光谱仪记录不同放电工况下的发射光谱信息,诊断反应产物类型,利用观测到的氮分子第二正带系(0-2)380.4 nm和(1-3)375.4 nm处的发射谱线,与自编程序计算的模拟谱线拟合,得出分子转动温度(即气体温度)。研究结果表明：通过拟合模拟光谱与实验所测发射光谱的方法推测分子转动温度,进而获得气体的平动温度,氩气/空气放电的气体温度可达到1 150 K,氩气/甲烷/空气Φ＝1时放电气体温度升高到1 390 K;甲烷与空气形成不同当量比时,所测等离子体气体温度相对于90%氩气/10%空气混合气体温度的温升在70～240 K范围变化;由光谱信息观测到CH,H,OH和CH₂O等活性粒子的存在以及气体温度的升高,表明可燃成分混合气在射频电场放电作用下发生等离子体燃烧化学反应并释放出化学热。     

光谱法研究低气压空气介质阻挡放电均匀性

利用介质阻挡放电装置.在低气压空气中得到了均匀放电,并采用光谱法,研究了放电等离子体温度的空间均匀性.实验采集了氮分子光谱,采用氮分子第二正带系C3Ⅱu→B3Ⅱg计算振动温度;采用氮分子离子第一负带系计算转动温度(气体温度).实验发现,振动温度随电压增加而减小,而转动温度随电压增加而增大.等离子体振动温度和转动温度在空...     

Submillimeter-wave spectroscopy of HCN in excited vibrational states

Measurements of the rotational spectrum of HCN in excited vibrational states have been extended to higher-J values. The transitions reach J=8←7 around 710 GHz for most vibrational states studied in this investigation and J=22←21 near 2 THz for the (020) and (030) vibrational states. Using a pure sample of gaseous HCN at 350 K, selected states up to one quantum in the C–H stretching vibration at 3311.5 cm⁻¹ have been investigated. Even transitions having two quanta in the C–H stretch could be studied employing a glow discharge in a gas mixture of CH₄ and N₂. Molecular constants in 13 vibrational states have been obtained, several of which have been studied for the first time by rotational spectroscopy. The vibrational temperature in the discharge system is found to be about 1500 K for the stretching vibrational modes and about 600 K for the bending states.     

Transition of a diffuse discharge to a spark at nanosecond breakdown of high-pressure nitrogen and air in a nonuniform electric field

The transition of a runaway-electron-induced diffuse discharge initiated in a nonuniform electric field under a high pressure of air and nitrogen to a spark is studied. High-voltage pulses with a rise time of 0.5 ns are applied to a discharge gap with a tubular cathode having a small radius of curvature. It is shown that the leader of the spark discharge propagates toward the tubular cathode along preproduced tracks and may pass from one track to another. For a pulse rise time of about 0.5 ns and a gap length of 12 mm or more, it is found that spark leaders originating at the cathode (which has a small radius of curvature) do not reach the anode and accordingly, do not cause the spark breakdown of the gap. It is confirmed that the spark breakdown of the gap is associated with a spark leader that moves away from the plane electrode after the appearance of a bright spot on it.     

氮气中空心阴极放电条纹的发光特性

利用发射光谱法,在氮气环境下研究了圆柱型空心阴极放电条纹的特性。测量得到了气压为20 Pa,放电电流为1.3 mA时条纹区的发射光谱,结果表明发射光谱主要为氮分子的第一正带系(B3П_g →A3П_u)和 第二正带系(C3П_u→B3П_g )。利用双原子光谱发射理论,计算得到了氮分子振动温度的空间分布特性。结果表明光谱线强度呈周期性分布,明纹中心处的谱线强度高于暗纹中心处的谱线强度。明纹中心处的N₂分子振动温度为3 500～4 400 K,并且从阴极到阳极,明纹中心处光谱线强度和分子振动温度逐渐下降。同时测量得到了放电电流为1.0和1.5 mA时的发光条纹特性,研究了放电电流对条纹特性的影响。随着放电电流的增加,明纹中心处的分子振动温度升高,条纹间距增加。另外,利用测量得到的发光条纹,计算得到了条纹区的平均约化电场强度为44～49 m-1·Pa-1,并且由阴极向阳极逐渐降低。对于揭示气体放电中发光条纹的形成机理和促进空心阴极放电的稳定性有重要的参考价值。     

Emission spectroscopy of atmospheric pressure plasmas for bio-medical and environmental applications

The paper demonstrates several ways of use of the UV-vis optical emission spectroscopy of medium resolution for the diagnostics of atmospheric pressure air and nitrogen plasmas relevant to bio-medical and environmental applications. Plasmas generated by DC discharges (streamer corona, transient spark, and glow discharge), AC microdischarges in porous ceramics, and microwave plasma were investigated. Molecular (OH, NO, CN) and atomic (H, O, N) radicals, and other active species, e.g. N₂ (C, B, A), (B), were identified. The composition of the emission spectra gives insight in the ongoing plasma chemistry. Rotational, i.e. gas, and vibrational temperatures were evaluated by fitting experimental with simulated spectra. Streamer corona, transient spark and microdischarges generate cold, strongly non-equilibrium plasmas (300-550 K), glow discharge plasma is hotter, yet non-equilibrium (1900 K), and microwave plasma is very hot and thermal (∼3000-4000 K). Electronic excitation temperature and OH radical concentration were estimated in the glow discharge assuming the chemical equilibrium and Boltzmann distribution (9800 K, 3 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³). Optical emission also provided the measurement of the active plasma size of the glow discharge, and enabled calculating its electron number density (10¹² cm⁻³).     

Parameters of the flame due to surface-microwave discharge-initiated inflammation of thin alcohol films

Nonthermal plasma-stimulated inflammation of thin alcohol films under the conditions of a microwave surface discharge initiated in quiescent air under atmospheric pressure is realized. The main parameters and properties of the flame due to alcohol inflammation and combustion are studied. It is shown that inflammation occurs when the gas temperature near the antenna is no higher than 1000 K. When the reduced electric field is high, the flame temperature near the antenna reaches 3300 K and the electron concentration equals 2 × 10¹² cm⁻³. The electron temperature during alcohol combustion varies from 0.8 eV at distance y = 10 mm from the antenna surface to 0.3 eV for y = 40 mm.     

冷等离子体放电区长度对爆震特性影响的实验研究

快速高效的起爆对脉冲爆震发动机工作特性的作用十分关键.文章以乙炔为燃料、空气为氧化剂,使用双爆震管研究冷等离子体和火花塞两种点火方式对起爆特性的影响规律.冷等离子体发生器采用自主设计产品,研究中通过改变冷等离子体放电区长度,测试爆震波的传播过程,给出了放电区体积大小对爆震特性的影响.实验结果表明:冷等离子体点火起爆特性明显优于火花塞;在基本保证放电功率不变时,放电区长度的变化对火焰传播时间、火焰传播速度、爆震波峰值压力影响不大.因此,在工程实践中,采用小区域放电能够减少冷等离子的体积且不影响起爆性能.      

Ar/H2O大气压等离子体射流放电特性

为了研究水蒸气体积分数对大气压等离子体射流放电机理及放电效率的影响,进而产生高活性低温等离子体并优化其效率。通过对大气压氩水等离子体射流的电压电流波形和Lissajous图形等电气特性的测量及发射光谱和发光图像等光学特性诊断,研究了不同水蒸气体积分数时,等离子体射流的放电特性。通过计算放电功率、传输电荷量、电子激发温度、分子振动温度和分子转动温度等主要放电参量,研究了它们随水蒸气体积分数的变化趋势,并结合放电机理对所得实验结果进行分析。结果表明,Ar/H2O等离子体射流除了产生N2和Ar,还有OH和O,气体温度在525~720 K之间变化,为典型的低温等离子体;随着水蒸气体积分数的增加,等离子体羽喷出管口的长度减小,放电功率减小,发光强度减弱,转动温度和振动温度增加;相同功率下,水蒸气体积分数为0.5%时,产生的OH达到最大。     

气流对微秒脉冲滑动放电特性的影响

脉冲电源驱动的滑动放电能够在大气压下产生高能量、高功率密度的低温等离子体. 为了研究微秒脉冲电源在针-针电极结构中产生滑动放电的特征, 本文采用电压幅值为0–30 kV, 脉冲宽度约8 μs, 脉冲重复频率为1–3000 Hz的微秒脉冲电源, 通过测量电压、电流波形和拍摄放电图像, 研究了微秒脉冲滑动放电的电特性. 实验结果表明, 随着施加电压的增加微秒脉冲滑动放电存在三种典型的放电模式: 电晕放电、弥散放电和类滑动放电. 不同放电模式的电压、电流波形和放电图像之间差异显著. 脉冲重复频率对微秒脉冲滑动放电特性有影响, 表现为当气体流量较小(2 L/min)时, 类滑动放电的放电通道随着脉冲重复频率的增大逐渐集中, 而当气体流量较大(16 L/min)时, 类滑动放电的放电通道随着脉冲重复频率的增大逐渐分散. 不同气流下重复频率对滑动放电特性的影响与放电中粒子的记忆效应和气流的状态有关.     

Self-broadening and shifting of HI lines in the 1-0 and 2-0 infrared bands

Pressure-broadening and -shifting coefficients of pure HI at room temperature have been determined from fits of high-resolution Fourier transform spectra in the fundamental and first overtone infrared bands. The results indicate that the measured widths are almost identical in both bands and decrease significantly with the rotational quantum number. On the contrary, the pressure-induced shifts show a strong dependence on both the rotational and vibrational states. These results are compared with predictions of a semi-classical model. The latter leads to calculated values in good agreement with measurements and shows that the broadening is dominated by electrostatic interactions due to the (permanent) electric dipole and quadrupole moments. On the contrary, the observed shifts cannot be explained without the introduction of a significant vibrationally dependent isotropic potential. The effects of line coupling between hyperfine components are also discussed although they are expected to be small and cannot be observed from the measured spectra. Finally, some tabulated values of calculated widths and shifts vs. quantum numbers and temperature are proposed. They should be useful for infrared sounding of HI amounts, particularly in the monitoring of the hydrogen production through the sulfur-iodine thermochemical cycle.     

大气压Ar射频容性放电模式转变的温度表征

在大气压条件下Ar气流中实现了容性射频放电α和γ两种模式及其转变与共存.由于放电处于开放大气环境中,放电发射光谱中清晰地存在 N₂C³Π_u→Β³Π_g跃迁产生的第二正带和OH自由基 Α²Σ→Χ²Π跃迁的(0,0)带光谱.为了获得放电区域的宏观温度,针对氮的第二正带(0,1),(1,2)两个谱带,自编了拟合程序,用温度拟合方法获得了氮分子的转动温度和振动温度,研究了转动温度随放电功率的变化趋势,得到了温度突变与放电模式转变的相关性.利用Lifbase的发射光谱模拟功能,进行了OH自由基Α²Σ→Χ²Π(0,0)带光谱的模拟,通过与实验光谱对比,得到了与N₂光谱拟合结果相符的OH转动温度,以及相似的随放电功率的变化趋势,这说明放电空间内的中性物种达到了热平衡状态.根据放电伏安特性变化,放电模式转变对应的转动温度变化趋势得到确认,并且与放电形态的照片符合. 关键词： 大气压等离子体 放电模式 转动温度     

等离子体针放电的振动温度和气体温度研究

大气压等离子体针空气放电产生的低温等离子体由于脱离了真空装置,在工业上具有广泛的应用前景。本文采用等离子体针装置在空气中产生了稳定的大气压等离子体羽,并利用光谱法对等离子体羽的振动温度和气体温度进行了研究。结果发现大气压空气等离子体羽的放电区域分为强光区和弱光区。放电发光信号是宽度为几个微秒的脉冲。研究结果表明等离子体振动温度随空间位置不同在2 500～3 000K范围变化。振动温度在强光区随着远离针尖距离的增大振动温度呈上升趋势,在5mm左右存在极大值,在弱光区随着远离针尖距离的增大振动温度呈下降趋势。与其相似,弱光区放电的气体温度随着远离针尖距离增大,从640K降低到540K。这些结果对大气压空气放电的工业应用具有重要意义。     

Optimized control of generation of few cycle pulses by molecular modulation

Production of subfemtosecond optical pulses or pulses with predetermined sub-cycle shape of electric field demands a broadband coherent light source of few octaves of bandwidth. Previous work has shown that such a broadband light source can be obtained by the molecular modulation technique. In this article, we review theoretical and experimental improvements in this area: from increasing the efficiency of the generation process by use of hollow waveguides to increasing the number of sidebands generated by the Raman additive technique, or by combined vibrational and rotational Raman generation. We find that stimulated rotational Raman scattering can be either enhanced or suppressed at proper detunings from vibrational Raman resonance in the same molecular ensemble.