Characterisation of a spark ignition system by planar laser-induced fluorescence of OH at high repetition rates and comparison with chemical kinetic calculations

This study reports the application of a novel, high speed laser-detector system for the time-resolved study of flame propagation in a well-controlled spark ignition system. The ignition system allowed full and reproducible control over the energy deposited during breakdown and the ensuing arc discharge of the spark plasma. Ignition was performed in a closed vessel which was filled with stoichiometric mixtures of methane and air. Four sequential snapshots of two-dimensional OH distributions were recorded during single ignition events by the use of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). From these OH distributions flame front velocities have been extracted with an accuracy of better than 2%. One-dimensional numerical simulations of the ignition event including detailed chemistry and transport processes have been performed. Experimental results and results from the simulations have been compared to each other with respect to flame front velocities as well as spatial concentration profiles of OH radicals. In general a good agreement was obtained. In this way the ignition system was carefully characterised. Received: 6 April 1999 / Published online: 27 October 1999