The impact of physicochemical property interactions of iso -octane/ethanol blends on ignition timescales

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barraza-Botet, Cesar L.; Luecke, Jon; Zigler, Bradley T.

This work presents new measurements of liquid fuel ignition delay times of iso-octane and ethanol fuel blends obtained from an ignition quality tester at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL IQT), which are compared to previous ignition delay data from the University of Michigan rapid compression facility (UM RCF), at the same experimental conditions. Pressure-time histories were used to determine liquid fuel ignition delays at global stoichiometric non-premixed conditions for iso-octane, ethanol and iso-octane/ethanol blends of 25, 50, 75% by volume in mixtures of 10% oxygen diluted in nitrogen. Temperatures ranging from 880 to 970 K were studied at amore » pressure of 10 atm. By comparing total ignition delay times from the NREL IQT with chemical ignition delay times from the UM RCF, the contributions of physical phenomena were quantified as representative time scales for spray injection, breakup and evaporation processes, and for gas-phase turbulent mixing. Regression analyses were developed for ignition time scales as function of blend level and charge temperature. Non-dimensional analyses were also carried out to determine the relative effects of physical time scales with respect to chemical ignition delay times.« less

Theoretical Prediction of Microgravity Ignition Delay of Polymeric Fuels in Low Velocity Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez-Pello, A. C.; Torero, J. L.; Zhou, Y. Y.; Walther, D.; Ross, H. D.

2001-01-01

A new flammability apparatus and protocol, FIST (Forced Flow Ignition and Flame Spread Test), is under development. Based on the LIFT (Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread Test) protocol, FIST better reflects the environments expected in spacebased facilities. The final objective of the FIST research is to provide NASA with a test methodology that complements the existing protocol and provides a more comprehensive assessment of material flammability of practical materials for space applications. Theoretical modeling, an extensive normal gravity data bank and a few validation space experiments will support the testing methodology. The objective of the work presented here is to predict the ignition delay and critical heat flux for ignition of solid fuels in microgravity at airflow velocities below those induced in normal gravity. This is achieved through the application of a numerical model previously developed of piloted ignition of solid polymeric materials exposed to an external radiant heat flux. The model predictions will provide quantitative results about ignition of practical materials in the limiting conditions expected in space facilities. Experimental data of surface temperature histories and ignition delay obtained in the KC-135 aircraft are used to determine the critical pyrolysate mass flux for ignition and this value is subsequently used to predict the ignition delay and the critical heat flux for ignition of the material. Surface temperature and piloted ignition delay calculations for Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a Polypropylene/Fiberglass (PP/GL) composite were conducted under both reduced and normal gravity conditions. It was found that ignition delay times are significantly shorter at velocities below those induced by natural convection.

Predicted exhaust emissions from a methanol and jet fueled gas turbine combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, H. G.; Browning, L. H.; Pefley, R. K.

1975-01-01

A computer model of a gas turbine combustor has been used to predict the kinetic combustion and pollutant formation processes for methanol and simulated jet fuel. Use of the kinetic reaction mechanisms has also allowed a study of ignition delay and flammability limit of these two fuels. The NOX emissions for methanol were predicted to be from 69 to 92% lower than those for jet fuel at the same equivalence ratio which is in agreement with experimentally observed results. The high heat of vaporization of methanol lowers both the combustor inlet mixture temperatures and the final combustion temperatures. The lower combustion temperatures lead to low NOX emissions while the lower inlet mixture temperatures increase methanol's ignition delay. This increase in ignition delay dictates the lean flammability limit of methanol to be 0.8, while jet fuel is shown to combust at 0.4.

Ignition Delay of Combustible Materials in Normoxic Equivalent Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McAllister, Sara; Fernandez-Pello, Carlos; Ruff, Gary; Urban, David

2009-01-01

Material flammability is an important factor in determining the pressure and composition (fraction of oxygen and nitrogen) of the atmosphere in the habitable volume of exploration vehicles and habitats. The method chosen in this work to quantify the flammability of a material is by its ease of ignition. The ignition delay time was defined as the time it takes a combustible material to ignite after it has been exposed to an external heat flux. Previous work in the Forced Ignition and Spread Test (FIST) apparatus has shown that the ignition delay in the currently proposed space exploration atmosphere (approximately 58.6 kPa and32% oxygen concentration) is reduced by 27% compared to the standard atmosphere used in the Space Shuttle and Space Station. In order to determine whether there is a safer environment in terms of material flammability, a series of piloted ignition delay tests using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was conducted in the FIST apparatus to extend the work over a range of possible exploration atmospheres. The exploration atmospheres considered were the normoxic equivalents, i.e. reduced pressure conditions with a constant partial pressure of oxygen. The ignition delay time was seen to decrease as the pressure was reduced along the normoxic curve. The minimum ignition delay observed in the normoxic equivalent environments was nearly 30% lower than in standard atmospheric conditions. The ignition delay in the proposed exploration atmosphere is only slightly larger than this minimum. Interms of material flammability, normoxic environments with a higher pressure relative to the proposed pressure would be desired.

Premixed autoignition in compressible turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konduri, Aditya; Kolla, Hemanth; Krisman, Alexander; Chen, Jacqueline

2016-11-01

Prediction of chemical ignition delay in an autoignition process is critical in combustion systems like compression ignition engines and gas turbines. Often, ignition delay times measured in simple homogeneous experiments or homogeneous calculations are not representative of actual autoignition processes in complex turbulent flows. This is due the presence of turbulent mixing which results in fluctuations in thermodynamic properties as well as chemical composition. In the present study the effect of fluctuations of thermodynamic variables on the ignition delay is quantified with direct numerical simulations of compressible isotropic turbulence. A premixed syngas-air mixture is used to remove the effects of inhomogeneity in the chemical composition. Preliminary results show a significant spatial variation in the ignition delay time. We analyze the topology of autoignition kernels and identify the influence of extreme events resulting from compressibility and intermittency. The dependence of ignition delay time on Reynolds and turbulent Mach numbers is also quantified. Supported by Basic Energy Sciences, Dept of Energy, United States.

Preliminary Appraisal of Ferrocene as an Igniting Agent for JP-4 Fuel and Fuming Nitric Acid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, RIley O.

1953-01-01

A preliminary experimental study was made of the properties of ferrocene as a solute and as a suspension in JP-4 fuel, and of the ignition delays of ferrocene - JP-4 mixture with A.F. specification 14104 white fuming nitric acid (WFNA). The investigation covered concentrations of 4 to 10 percent by weight ferrocene, and a temperature range of -40 to 80 F. The solubility of ferrocene in JP-4 is about 5 percent at room temperature and about 1 percent (extrapolated) at -80 F. The solubility is increased somewhat by increased aromatics content. Undissolved ferrocene particles of 100 mesh and smaller settle rapidly in JP-4. Clear solutions of 4 and 5 percent ferrocene in JP-4 fuels containing 10 and 25 percent by volume aromatics, respectively, do not ignite with WFNA at room temperature. Mixtures containing 10 percent ferrocene (100- mesh and smaller undissolved particles in suspension) ignited with vigorous persistent flames at room temperature, but did not ignite at -38 F. The ignition delays at room temperature, however, were widely varied; the range from 85 milliseconds to over 1 second perhaps reflected differences in degree of sedimentation.

Laser-assisted ignition and combustion characteristics of consolidated aluminum nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saceleanu, Florin; Wen, John Z.; Idir, Mahmoud; Chaumeix, Nabiha

2016-11-01

Aluminum (Al) nanoparticles have drawn much attention due to their high energy density and tunable ignition properties. In comparison with their micronscale counterpart, Al nanoparticles possess large specific surface area and low apparent activation energy of combustion, which reduce ignition delay significantly. In this paper, ignition and subsequently burning of consolidated Al nanoparticle pellets are performed via a continuous wave (CW) argon laser in a closed spherical chamber filled with oxygen. Pellets are fabricated using two types of nanoparticle sizes of 40-60 and 60-80 nm, respectively. A photodiode is used to measure the ignition delay, while a digital camera captures the location of the flame front. It is found that for the 40-60-nm nanoparticle pellets, ignition delay reduces with increasing the oxygen pressure or using the higher laser power. Analysis of the flame propagation rate suggests that oxygen diffusion is an important mechanism during burning of these porous nanoparticle pellets. The combustion characteristics of the Al pellets are compared to a simplified model of the diffusion-controlled oxidation mechanism. While experimental measurements of pellets of 40-60 nm Al particles agree with the computed diffusion-limiting mechanism, a shifted behavior is observed from the pellets of 60-80 nm Al particles, largely due to the inhomogeneity of their porous structures.

CFD modeling of two-stage ignition in a rapid compression machine: Assessment of zero-dimensional approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mittal, Gaurav; Raju, Mandhapati P.; Sung, Chih-Jen

2010-07-15

In modeling rapid compression machine (RCM) experiments, zero-dimensional approach is commonly used along with an associated heat loss model. The adequacy of such approach has not been validated for hydrocarbon fuels. The existence of multi-dimensional effects inside an RCM due to the boundary layer, roll-up vortex, non-uniform heat release, and piston crevice could result in deviation from the zero-dimensional assumption, particularly for hydrocarbons exhibiting two-stage ignition and strong thermokinetic interactions. The objective of this investigation is to assess the adequacy of zero-dimensional approach in modeling RCM experiments under conditions of two-stage ignition and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) response. Computational fluidmore » dynamics simulations are conducted for n-heptane ignition in an RCM and the validity of zero-dimensional approach is assessed through comparisons over the entire NTC region. Results show that the zero-dimensional model based on the approach of 'adiabatic volume expansion' performs very well in adequately predicting the first-stage ignition delays, although quantitative discrepancy for the prediction of the total ignition delays and pressure rise in the first-stage ignition is noted even when the roll-up vortex is suppressed and a well-defined homogeneous core is retained within an RCM. Furthermore, the discrepancy is pressure dependent and decreases as compressed pressure is increased. Also, as ignition response becomes single-stage at higher compressed temperatures, discrepancy from the zero-dimensional simulations reduces. Despite of some quantitative discrepancy, the zero-dimensional modeling approach is deemed satisfactory from the viewpoint of the ignition delay simulation. (author)« less

Analysis of the Effect of Injection Pressure on Ignition Delay and Combustion Process of Biodiesel from Palm Oil, Algae and Waste Cooking Oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irham Anas, Mohd; Khalid, Amir; Hakim Zulkifli, Fathul; Jaat, Norrizam; Faisal Hushim, Mohd; Manshoor, Bukhari; Zaman, Izzuddin

2017-10-01

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel engines. The objective of this research is investigation the effects of the variant injection pressure on ignition delay and emission for different biodiesel using rapid compression machine. Rapid Compression Machine (RCM) is used to simulate a single compression stroke of an internal combustion engine as a real engine. Four types of biodiesel which are waste cooking oil, crude palm oil, algae and jatropha were tested at injection pressure of 80 MPa, 90 MPa and 130 MPa under constant ambient temperature at 950 K. Increased in injection pressure resulted shorter ignition delay proven by WCO5 which decreased from 1.3 ms at 80 MPa to 0.7 ms at 130 MPa. Meanwhile, emission for CO2 increased due to better fuel atomization for fuel-air mixture formation lead to completed combustion.

Piloted Ignition Delay of PMMA in Space Exploration Atmospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McAllister, Sara; Fernandez-Pello, Carlos; Urban, David; Ruff, Gary

2007-01-01

In order to reduce the risk of decompression sickness associated with extravehicular activity (EVA), NASA is designing the next generation of exploration vehicles and habitats with a different cabin environment than used previously. The proposed environment uses a total cabin pressure of 52.7 to 58.6 kPa with an oxygen concentration of 30 to 34% by volume and was chosen with material flammability in mind. Because materials may burn differently under these conditions and there is little information on how this new environment affects the flammability of the materials onboard, it is important to conduct material flammability experiments at the intended exploration atmosphere. One method to evaluate material flammability is by its ease of ignition. To this end, piloted ignition delay tests were conducted in the Forced Ignition and Spread Test (FIST) apparatus subject to this new environment. In these tests, polymethylmethacylate (PMMA) was exposed to a range of oxidizer flow velocities and externally applied heat fluxes. Tests were conducted for a baseline case of normal pressure and oxygen concentration, low pressure (58.6 kPa) with normal oxygen (21%), and low pressure with 32% oxygen concentration conditions to determine the individual effect of pressure and the combined effect of pressure and oxygen concentration on the ignition delay. It was found that reducing the pressure while keeping the oxygen concentration at 21% reduced the ignition time by 17% on average. Increasing the oxygen concentration at low pressures reduced the ignition time by an additional 10%. It was also noted that the critical heat flux for ignition decreases at exploration atmospheres. These results show that tests conducted in standard atmospheric conditions will underpredict the ignition of materials intended for use on spacecraft and that, at these conditions, materials are more susceptible to ignition than at current spacecraft atmospheres.

Combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility [On the combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barraza-Botet, Cesar L.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Wooldridge, Margaret S.

Here, ethanol remains the most important alternative fuel for the transportation sector. This work presents new experimental data on ethanol ignition, including stable species measurements, obtained with the University of Michigan rapid compression facility. Ignition delay times were determined from pressure histories of ignition experiments with stoichiometric ethanol–air mixtures at pressures of ~3–10 atm. Temperatures (880–1150 K) were controlled by varying buffer gas composition (Ar, N 2, CO 2). High-speed imaging was used to record chemiluminescence during the experiments, which showed homogeneous ignition events. The results for ignition delay time agreed well with trends on the basis of previous experimentalmore » measurements. Speciation experiments were performed using fast gas sampling and gas chromatography to identify and quantify ethanol and 11 stable intermediate species formed during the ignition delay period. Simulations were carried out using a chemical kinetic mechanism available in the literature, and the agreement with the experimental results for ignition delay time and the intermediate species measured was excellent for the majority of the conditions studied. From the simulation results, ethanol + HO 2 was identified as an important reaction at the experimental conditions for both the ignition delay time and intermediate species measurements. Further studies to improve the accuracy of the rate coefficient for ethanol + HO 2 would improve the predictive understanding of intermediate and low-temperature ethanol combustion.« less

Combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility [On the combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility

DOE PAGES

Barraza-Botet, Cesar L.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Wooldridge, Margaret S.

2016-08-31

Here, ethanol remains the most important alternative fuel for the transportation sector. This work presents new experimental data on ethanol ignition, including stable species measurements, obtained with the University of Michigan rapid compression facility. Ignition delay times were determined from pressure histories of ignition experiments with stoichiometric ethanol–air mixtures at pressures of ~3–10 atm. Temperatures (880–1150 K) were controlled by varying buffer gas composition (Ar, N 2, CO 2). High-speed imaging was used to record chemiluminescence during the experiments, which showed homogeneous ignition events. The results for ignition delay time agreed well with trends on the basis of previous experimentalmore » measurements. Speciation experiments were performed using fast gas sampling and gas chromatography to identify and quantify ethanol and 11 stable intermediate species formed during the ignition delay period. Simulations were carried out using a chemical kinetic mechanism available in the literature, and the agreement with the experimental results for ignition delay time and the intermediate species measured was excellent for the majority of the conditions studied. From the simulation results, ethanol + HO 2 was identified as an important reaction at the experimental conditions for both the ignition delay time and intermediate species measurements. Further studies to improve the accuracy of the rate coefficient for ethanol + HO 2 would improve the predictive understanding of intermediate and low-temperature ethanol combustion.« less

Low-temperature Ignition-delay Characteristics of Several Rocket Fuels with Mixed Acid in Modified Open-cup-type Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Riley O

1950-01-01

Summaries of low-temperature self-ignition data of various rocket fuels with mixed acid (nitric plus sulfuric) are presented. Several fuels are shown to have shorter ignition-delay intervals and less variation in delay intervals at moderate and sub-zero temperatures than crude N-ethylaniline (monoethylaniline),a rocket fuel in current use.

An Experimental Investigation of Hypergolic Ignition Delay of Hydrogen Peroxide with Fuel Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blevins, John A.; Gostowski, Rudy; Chianese, Silvio

2003-01-01

An experimental evaluation of decomposition and ignition delay of hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 80% to 98% with combinations of hydrocarbon fuels, tertiary amines and transition metal chelates will be presented in the proposed paper. The results will be compared to hydrazine ignition delays with hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid mixtures using the same test apparatus.

Ignition-delay Characteristics in Modified Open-cup Apparatus of Several Fuels with Nitric Acid Oxidants Within Temperature Range 70 to 105 Degrees F

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Riley O

1951-01-01

Fluid properties and low-temperature ignition delays were obtained for approximately 90 fuel-oxidant combinations. A red fuming nitric acid containing approximately 3 percent water and 19 percent nitrogen tetroxide froze at approximately -87 degrees F and ignited several low-viscosity fuel blends of aromatic amines in triethylamine at -76 degrees F and lower. With this acid, the following average ignition delays were obtained with a blend of 30 percent o-toluidine in triethylamine: ...

Ignition and Combustion of Pulverized Coal and Biomass under Different Oxy-fuel O2/N2 and O2/CO2 Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khatami Firoozabadi, Seyed Reza

This work studied the ignition and combustion of burning pulverized coals and biomasses particles under either conventional combustion in air or oxy-fuel combustion conditions. Oxy-fuel combustion is a 'clean-coal' process that takes place in O2/CO2 environments, which are achieved by removing nitrogen from the intake gases and recirculating large amounts of flue gases to the boiler. Removal of nitrogen from the combustion gases generates a high CO2-content, sequestration-ready gas at the boiler effluent. Flue gas recirculation moderates the high temperatures caused by the elevated oxygen partial pressure in the boiler. In this study, combustion of the fuels took place in a laboratory laminar-flow drop-tube furnace (DTF), electrically-heated to 1400 K, in environments containing various mole fractions of oxygen in either nitrogen or carbon-dioxide background gases. The experiments were conducted at two different gas conditions inside the furnace: (a) quiescent gas condition (i.e., no flow or inactive flow) and, (b) an active gas flow condition in both the injector and furnace. Eight coals from different ranks (anthracite, semi-snthracite, three bituminous, subbituminous and two lignites) and four biomasses from different sources were utilized in this work to study the ignition and combustion characteristics of solid fuels in O2/N2 or O2/CO2 environments. The main objective is to study the effect of replacing background N2 with CO2, increasing O2 mole fraction and fuel type and rank on a number of qualitative and quantitative parameters such as ignition/combustion mode, ignition temperature, ignition delay time, combustion temperatures, burnout times and envelope flame soot volume fractions. Regarding ignition, in the quiescent gas condition, bituminous and sub-bituminous coal particles experienced homogeneous ignition in both O2/N 2 and O2/CO2 atmospheres, while in the active gas flow condition, heterogeneous ignition was evident in O2/CO 2. Anthracite, semi-anthracite and lignites mostly experienced heterogeneous ignition in either O2/N2 or O2/CO2 atmospheres in both flow conditions. Replacing the N2 by CO 2 slightly increased the ignition temperature (30--40K). Ignition temperatures increased with the enhancement of coal rank in either air or oxy-fuel combustion conditions. However, increasing oxygen mole fraction decreased the ignition temperature for all coals. The ignition delay of coal particles was prolonged in the slow-heating O2/CO2 atmospheres, relative to the faster-heating O2/N2 atmospheres, particularly at high-diluent mole fractions. At higher O2 mole fractions, ignition delays decreased in both environments. Higher rank fuels such as anthracite and semi-anthracite experienced higher ignition delays while lower rank fuels such as lignite and biomasses experienced lower igniton delay times. In combustion, fuel particles were observed to burn in different modes, such as two-mode, or in one-mode combustion, depending on their rank and the furnace conditions. Strong tendencies were observed for all fuels to burn in one-mode when N2 was replaced by CO2, and when O 2 mole fraction increased in both environments. Moreover, increasing the coal rank, from lignite to bituminous, enhanced the tendency of coal particles to exhibit a two-mode combustion behavior. Particle luminosity, fragmentation and deduced temperatures were higher in O2/N2 than in O2/CO2 atmospheres, and corresponding burnout times were shorter, at the same O2 mole fractions. Particle luminosity and temperatures increased with increasing O2 mole fractions in both N2 and in CO2 background gases, and corresponding burnout times decreased with increasing O2 mole fractions. Bituminous coal particles swelled, whereas sub-bituminous coal particles exhibited limited fragmentation prior to and during the early stages of combustion. Lignite coal particles fragmented extensively and burned in one-mode regardless of the O2 mole fraction and the background gas. The timing of fragmentation (prior or after ignition) and the number of fragments depended on the type of the lignite and on the particle shape. Temperatures and burnout times of particles were also affected by the combustion mode. In nearly all bituminous and biomass particles combustion, sooty envelope flames were formed around the particles. Replacement of background N 2 by CO2 gas decreased the average soot volume fraction, fv, whereas increasing O2 from 20% to 30--40% increased the fv and then further increasing O2 to 100% decreased the soot volume fraction drastically. bituminous coal particle flames generated lower soot volume fractions in the range 2x10 -5--9x10-5, depending on O2 mole fraction. Moreover, biomass particle flames were optically thin and of equal-sized at all O2 mole fractions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Measurements and interpretation of shock tube ignition delay times in highly CO 2 diluted mixtures using multiple diagnostics

DOE PAGES

Vasu, Subith S.; Pryor, Owen; Barak, Samuel; ...

2017-03-12

Common definitions for ignition delay time are often hard to determine due to the issue of bifurcation and other non-idealities that result from high levels of CO 2 addition. Using high-speed camera imagery in comparison with more standard methods (e.g., pressure, emission, and laser absorption spectroscopy) to measure the ignition delay time, the effect of bifurcation has been examined in this study. Experiments were performed at pressures between 0.6 and 1.2 atm for temperatures between 1650 and 2040 K. The equivalence ratio for all experiments was kept at a constant value of 1 with methane as the fuel. The COmore » 2 mole fraction was varied between a value of X CO2 = 0.00 to 0.895. The ignition delay time was determined from three different measurements at the sidewall: broadband chemiluminescent emission captured via a photodetector, CH 4 concentrations determined using a distributed feedback interband cascade laser centered at 3403.4 nm, and pressure recorded via a dynamic Kistler type transducer. All methods for the ignition delay time were compared to high-speed camera images taken of the axial cross-section during combustion. Methane time-histories and the methane decay times were also measured using the laser. It was determined that the flame could be correlated to the ignition delay time measured at the side wall but that the flame as captured by the camera was not homogeneous as assumed in typical shock tube experiments. The bifurcation of the shock wave resulted in smaller flames with large boundary layers and that the flame could be as small as 30% of the cross-sectional area of the shock tube at the highest levels of CO 2 dilution. Here, comparisons between the camera images and the different ignition delay time methods show that care must be taken in interpreting traditional ignition delay data for experiments with large bifurcation effects as different methods in measuring the ignition delay time could result in different interpretations of kinetic mechanisms and impede the development of future mechanisms.« less

Measurements and interpretation of shock tube ignition delay times in highly CO 2 diluted mixtures using multiple diagnostics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vasu, Subith S.; Pryor, Owen; Barak, Samuel

Common definitions for ignition delay time are often hard to determine due to the issue of bifurcation and other non-idealities that result from high levels of CO 2 addition. Using high-speed camera imagery in comparison with more standard methods (e.g., pressure, emission, and laser absorption spectroscopy) to measure the ignition delay time, the effect of bifurcation has been examined in this study. Experiments were performed at pressures between 0.6 and 1.2 atm for temperatures between 1650 and 2040 K. The equivalence ratio for all experiments was kept at a constant value of 1 with methane as the fuel. The COmore » 2 mole fraction was varied between a value of X CO2 = 0.00 to 0.895. The ignition delay time was determined from three different measurements at the sidewall: broadband chemiluminescent emission captured via a photodetector, CH 4 concentrations determined using a distributed feedback interband cascade laser centered at 3403.4 nm, and pressure recorded via a dynamic Kistler type transducer. All methods for the ignition delay time were compared to high-speed camera images taken of the axial cross-section during combustion. Methane time-histories and the methane decay times were also measured using the laser. It was determined that the flame could be correlated to the ignition delay time measured at the side wall but that the flame as captured by the camera was not homogeneous as assumed in typical shock tube experiments. The bifurcation of the shock wave resulted in smaller flames with large boundary layers and that the flame could be as small as 30% of the cross-sectional area of the shock tube at the highest levels of CO 2 dilution. Here, comparisons between the camera images and the different ignition delay time methods show that care must be taken in interpreting traditional ignition delay data for experiments with large bifurcation effects as different methods in measuring the ignition delay time could result in different interpretations of kinetic mechanisms and impede the development of future mechanisms.« less

Promotion of methane ignition by the laser heating of suspended nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drakon, A. V.; Eremin, A. V.; Gurentsov, E. V.; Mikheyeva, E. Yu; Musikhin, S. A.; Selyakov, I. N.

2018-01-01

The influence of laser heated iron and carbon nanoparticles on ignition of 20 vol% stoichiometric methane-oxygen mixture in argon was studied experimentally in shock tube reactor. The concentration of nanoparticles 0.3-2.0 ppm was measured by laser light extinction. The particles were heated by Nd:Yag laser pulse operated at wavelength 1064 nm. The ignition delay times were registered by increase of OH chemiluminescence and pressure rise. The temperatures of laser heated particles and their sizes were measured by laser induced incandescence technique. The significant decrease of ignition delay times were found at addition of iron particles heated by laser pulse to the combustible mixture at the temperatures less than 1400 K. Analysis performed has shown that the effect supposedly involves catalytic reactions of methane decomposition on the surface of heated particles and allowed estimating their effective activation energy.

Numerical investigation of spontaneous flame propagation under RCCI conditions

DOE PAGES

Bhagatwala, Ankit V; Sankaran, Ramanan; Kokjohn, Sage; ...

2015-06-30

This paper presents results from one and two-dimensional direct numerical simulations under Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) conditions of a primary reference fuel (PRF) mixture consisting of n-heptane and iso-octane. RCCI uses in-cylinder blending of two fuels with different autoignition characteristics to control combustion phasing and the rate of heat release. These simulations employ an improved model of compression heating through mass source/sink terms developed in a previous work by Bhagatwala et al. (2014), which incorporates feedback from the flow to follow a predetermined experimental pressure trace. Two-dimensional simulations explored parametric variations with respect to temperature stratification, pressure profiles andmore » n-heptane concentration. Furthermore, statistics derived from analysis of diffusion/reaction balances locally normal to the flame surface were used to elucidate combustion characteristics for the different cases. Both deflagration and spontaneous ignition fronts were observed to co-exist, however it was found that higher n-heptane concentration provided a greater degree of flame propagation, whereas lower n-heptane concentration (higher fraction of iso-octane) resulted in more spontaneous ignition fronts. A significant finding was that simulations initialized with a uniform initial temperature and a stratified n-heptane concentration field, resulted in a large fraction of combustion occurring through flame propagation. The proportion of spontaneous ignition fronts increased at higher pressures due to shorter ignition delay when other factors were held constant. For the same pressure and fuel concentration, the contribution of flame propagation to the overall combustion was found to depend on the level of thermal stratification, with higher initial temperature gradients resulting in more deflagration and lower gradients generating more ignition fronts. Statistics of ignition delay are computed to assess the Zel’dovich (1980) theory for the mode of combustion propagation based on ignition delay gradients.« less

Analysis of Ignition Behavior in a Turbocharged Direct Injection Dual Fuel Engine Using Propane and Methane as Primary Fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polk, A. C.; Gibson, C. M.; Shoemaker, N. T.

2013-05-24

This paper presents experimental analyses of the ignition delay (ID) behavior for diesel-ignited propane and diesel-ignited methane dual fuel combustion. Two sets of experiments were performed at a constant speed (1800 rev/min) using a 4-cylinder direct injection diesel engine with the stock ECU and a wastegated turbocharger. First, the effects of fuel-air equivalence ratios (© pilot ¼ 0.2-0.6 and © overall ¼ 0.2-0.9) on IDs were quantified. Second, the effects of gaseous fuel percent energy substitution (PES) and brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) (from 2.5 to 10 bar) on IDs were investigated. With constant © pilot (> 0.5), increasing ©more » overall with propane initially decreased ID but eventually led to premature propane autoignition; however, the corresponding effects with methane were relatively minor. Cyclic variations in the start of combustion (SOC) increased with increasing © overall (at constant © pilot), more significantly for propane than for methane. With increasing PES at constant BMEP, the ID showed a nonlinear (initially increasing and later decreasing) trend at low BMEPs for propane but a linearly decreasing trend at high BMEPs. For methane, increasing PES only increased IDs at all BMEPs. At low BMEPs, increasing PES led to significantly higher cyclic SOC variations and SOC advancement for both propane and methane. Finally, the engine ignition delay (EID) was also shown to be a useful metric to understand the influence of ID on dual fuel combustion.« less

Comparative Shock-Tube Study of Autoignition and Plasma-Assisted Ignition of C2-Hydrocarbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosarev, Ilya; Kindysheva, Svetlana; Plastinin, Eugeny; Aleksandrov, Nikolay; Starikovskiy, Andrey

2015-09-01

The dynamics of pulsed picosecond and nanosecond discharge development in liquid water, ethanol and hexane Using a shock tube with a discharge cell, ignition delay time was measured in a lean (φ = 0.5) C2H6:O2:Ar mixture and in lean (φ = 0.5) and stoichiometric C2H4:O2:Ar mixtures with a high-voltage nanosecond discharge and without it. The measured results were compared with the measurements made previously with the same setup for C2H6-, C2H5OH- and C2H2-containing mixtures. It was shown that the effect of plasma on ignition is almost the same for C2H6, C2H4 and C2H5OH. The reduction in time is smaller for C2H2, the fuel that is well ignited even without the discharge. Autoignition delay time was independent of the stoichiometric ratio for C2H6 and C2H4, whereas this time in stoichiometric C2H2- and C2H5OH-containing mixtures was noticeably shorter than that in the lean mixtures. Ignition after the discharge was not affected by a change in the stoichiometric ratio for C2H2 and C2H4, whereas the plasma-assisted ignition delay time for C2H6 and C2H5OH decreased as the equivalence ratio changed from 1 to 0.5. Ignition delay time was calculated in C2-hydrocarbon-containing mixtures under study by simulating separately discharge and ignition processes. Good agreement was obtained between new measurements and calculated ignition delay times.

Ignition Delays of Alkyl Thiophosphites with White and Red Fuming Nitric Acids Within Temperature Range 80 to -105 F

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Riley O; Ladanyi, Dezso J

1953-01-01

Ignition delays of alkyl thiophosphites were obtained in a modified open-cup apparatus and a small-scale rocket engine apparatus. At -40 F, mixed alkyl thiophosphites gave short delays with white fuming nitric acid containing 2 percent water and red fuming nitric acids of widely varying compositions. At -40 F and higher, triethyl trithiophosphite blended with as much as 40 percent n-heptane gave satisfactory self-igniting properties at temperatures as low as -76 F.

Demonstration of the B4C/NaIO4/PTFE Delay in the U.S. Army Hand-Held Signal

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-20

Figure 1. Partial cross section diagram of a hand-held signal showing the rocket motor , delay element, expelling charge, and pyrotechnic payload as...The black powder-based rocket motor , consisting of propellant pellets (G) encased in a cardboard tube, contains an axial core hole to accommodate the...that ignites the rocket motor . Simultaneously, the delay element is ignited and burns for an interval (preferably 5−6 s) before it ignites the black

Ignition characteristics of cracked JP-7 fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Puri, Puneesh; Ma, Fuhua; Choi, Jeong-Yeol

2005-09-01

The ignition characteristics of cracked JP-7 fuel with both oxygen and air is studied over a wide range of pressures (1-20 atm), temperatures (1200-2000 K), and equivalence ratios (0.5-1.5). Correlations of ignition delay times, of the form t=Aexp(E/RT)[F]a[O2]b, are established using the Chemkin-II package and least-squares analysis. The effect of C3 hydrocarbons in cracked JP-7 fuel is examined by comparing ignition delay times for two different cracked compositions.

Theoretical and Experimental Investigations on Droplet Evaporation and Droplet Ignition at High Pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ristau, R.; Nagel, U.; Iglseder, H.; Koenig, J.; Rath, H. J.; Normura, H.; Kono, M.; Tanabe, M.; Sato, J.

1993-01-01

The evaporation of fuel droplets under high ambient pressure and temperature in normal gravity and microgravity has been investigated experimentally. For subcritical ambient conditions, droplet evaporation after a heat-up period follows the d(exp 2)-law. For all data the evaporation constant increases as the ambient temperature increases. At identical ambient conditions the evaporation constant under microgravity is smaller compared to normal gravity. This effect can first be observed at 1 bar and increases with ambient pressure. Preliminary experiments on ignition delay for self-igniting fuel droplets have been performed. Above a 1 s delay time, at identical ambient conditions, significant differences in the results of the normal and microgravity data are observed. Self-ignition occurs within different temperature ranges due to the influence of gravity. The time dependent behavior of the droplet is examined theoretically. In the calculations two different approaches for the gas phase are applied. In the first approach the conditions at the interface are given using a quasi steady theory approximation. The second approach uses a set of time dependent governing equations for the gas phase which are then evaluated. In comparison, the second model shows a better agreement with the drop tower experiments. In both cases a time dependent gasification rate is observed.

Ignition delay of combustible materials in normoxic equivalent environments

Treesearch

Sara McAllister; Carlos Fernandez-Pello; Gary Ruff; David Urban

2009-01-01

Material flammability is an important factor in determining the pressure and composition (fraction of oxygen and nitrogen) of the atmosphere in the habitable volume of exploration vehicles and habitats. The method chosen in this work to quantify the flammability of a material is by its ease of ignition. The ignition delay time was defined as the time it takes a...

Hydrogen and Ethene Plasma Assisted Ignition by NS discharge at Elevated Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Starikovskiy, Andrey

2015-09-01

The kinetics of ignition in lean H2:O2:Ar and C2H4:O2:Ar mixtures has been studied experimentally and numerically after a high-voltage nanosecond discharge. The ignition delay time behind a reflected shock wave was measured with and without the discharge. It was shown that the initiation of the discharge with a specific deposited energy of 10 - 30 mJ/cm3 leads to an order of magnitude decrease in the ignition delay time. Discharge processes and following chain chemical reactions with energy release were simulated. The generation of atoms, radicals and excited and charged particles was numerically simulated using the measured time - resolved discharge current and electric field in the discharge phase. The calculated densities of the active particles were used as input data to simulate plasma-assisted ignition. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated ignition delay times and the experimental data. It follows from the analysis of the calculated results that the main mechanism of the effect of gas discharge on the ignition of hydrocarbons is the electron impact dissociation of O2 molecules in the discharge phase. Detailed kinetic mechanism for plasma assisted ignition of hydrogen and ethene is elaborated and verified.

Spontaneous ignition characteristics of gaseous hydrocarbon-air mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, G.; Lefebvre, A. H.

1984-01-01

Experiments are conducted to determine the spontaneous ignition delay times of gaseous propane, kerosine vapor, and n-heptane vapor in mixtures with air, and oxygen-enriched air, at atmospheric pressure. Over a range of equivalence ratios from 0.2 to 0.8 it is found that ignition delay times are sensibly independent of fuel concentration. However, the results indicate a strong dependence of delay times on oxygen concentration. The experimental data for kerosine and propane demonstrate very close agreement with the results obtained previously by Mullins and Lezberg respectively.

Methane oxidation behind reflected shock waves: Ignition delay times measured by pressure and flame band emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brabbs, T. A.; Robertson, T. F.

1986-01-01

Ignition delay data were recorded for three methane-oxygen-argon mixtures (phi = 0.5, 1.0, 2.0) for the temperature range 1500 to 1920 K. Quiet pressure trances enabled us to obtain delay times for the start of the experimental pressure rise. These times were in good agreement with those obtained from the flame band emission at 3700 A. The data correlated well with the oxygen and methane dependence of Lifshitz, but showed a much stronger temperature dependence (phi = 0.5 delta E = 51.9, phi = 1.0 delta = 58.8, phi = 2.0 delta E = 58.7 Kcal). The effect of probe location on the delay time measurement was studied. It appears that the probe located 83 mm from the reflecting surface measured delay times which may not be related to the initial temperature and pressure. It was estimated that for a probe located 7 mm from the reflecting surface, the measured delay time would be about 10 microseconds too short, and it was suggested that delay times less than 100 microsecond should not be used. The ignition period was defined as the time interval between start of the experimental pressure rise and 50 percent of the ignition pressure. This time interval was measured for three gas mixtures and found to be similar (40 to 60 micro sec) for phi = 1.0 and 0.5 but much longer (100 to 120) microsecond for phi = 2.0. It was suggested that the ignition period would be very useful to the kinetic modeler in judging the agreement between experimental and calculated delay times.

Heat and mass transfer at gas-phase ignition of grinded coal layer by several metal particles heated to a high temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glushkov, D. O.; Kuznetsov, G. V.; Strizhak, P. A.

2017-07-01

Characteristics of gas-phase ignition of grinded brown coal (brand 2B, Shive-Ovoos deposit in Mongolia) layer by single and several metal particles heated to a high temperature (above 1000 K) have been investigated numerically. The developed mathematical model of the process takes into account the heating and thermal decomposition of coal at the expense of the heat supplied from local heat sources, release of volatiles, formation and heating of gas mixture and its ignition. The conditions of the joint effect of several hot particles on the main characteristic of the process-ignition delay time are determined. The relation of the ignition zone position in the vicinity of local heat sources and the intensity of combustible gas mixture warming has been elucidated. It has been found that when the distance between neighboring particles exceeds 1.5 hot particle size, an analysis of characteristics and regularities of coal ignition by several local heat sources can be carried out within the framework of the model of "single metal particle / grinded coal / air". Besides, it has been shown with the use of this model that the increase in the hot particle height leads, along with the ignition delay time reduction, to a reduction of the source initial temperatures required for solid fuel ignition. At an imperfect thermal contact at the interface hot particle / grinded coal due to the natural porosity of the solid fuel structure, the intensity of ignition reduces due to a less significant effect of radiation in the area of pores on the heat transfer conditions compared to heat transfer by conduction in the near-surface coal layer without regard to its heterogeneous structure.

STUDENT AWARD FINALIST: Oxygen Pathways in Streamer Discharge for Transient Plasma Ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pendleton, S. J.; Bowman, S.; Singleton, D.; Watrous, J.; Carter, C.; Lempert, W.; Gundersen, M. A.

2011-10-01

The use of streamers for the ignition of fuels, also known as transient plasma ignition (TPI), has been shown in a variety of engines to improve combustion through decreased ignition delay, increased lean burn capability and increased energy release relative to conventional spark ignition. The mechanisms behind these improvements, however, remain poorly understood. Temperature measurements by optical emission spectroscopy demonstrate that ignition by TPI is a nonthermal process, and thus is almost entirely dependent on the production and presence of electron impact-created active species in the discharge afterglow. Of particular interest are active oxygen species due to their relatively long lifetimes at high pressures and the pivotal role they play in combustion reactions. In order to elucidate the oxygen pathways, here we report the investigation of the temporal evolution of the populations of atomic oxygen and ozone by use of two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence (TALIF) and UV absorption, respectively. Experimental results are presented and compared to kinetic modeling of the streamers. Future experiments are proposed to better understand the physics behind TPI. Supported by NSF, AFOSR, NumerEx-ONR, AFRL-WPAFB.

Auto-ignitions of a methane/air mixture at high and intermediate temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leschevich, V. V.; Martynenko, V. V.; Penyazkov, O. G.; Sevrouk, K. L.; Shabunya, S. I.

2016-09-01

A rapid compression machine (RCM) and a shock tube (ST) have been employed to study ignition delay times of homogeneous methane/air mixtures at intermediate-to-high temperatures. Both facilities allow measurements to be made at temperatures of 900-2000 K, at pressures of 0.38-2.23 MPa, and at equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. In ST experiments, nitrogen served as a diluent gas, whereas in RCM runs the diluent gas composition ranged from pure nitrogen to pure argon. Recording pressure, UV, and visible emissions identified the evolution of chemical reactions. Correlations of ignition delay time were generated from the data for each facility. At temperatures below 1300 K, a significant reduction of average activation energy from 53 to 15.3 kcal/mol was obtained. Moreover, the RCM data showed significant scatter that dramatically increased with decreasing temperature. An explanation for the abnormal scatter in the data was proposed based on the high-speed visualization of auto-ignition phenomena and experiments performed with oxygen-free and fuel-free mixtures. It is proposed that the main reason for such a significant reduction of average activation energy is attributable to the premature ignition of ultrafine particles in the reactive mixture.

Modes of Ignition of Powder Layers of Nanocomposite Thermites by Electrostatic Discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monk, I.; Schoenitz, M.; Dreizin, E. L.

2017-01-01

Nanocomposite powders with aluminum as a fuel and oxides of molybdenum, copper, bismuth, and iron as oxidizers were prepared by arrested reactive milling. The powders were placed in 0.5-mm-thick layers and ignited by electrostatic discharge (ESD) in air. In different tests, time-resolved light emission was recorded at 568 nm or in the range of 373-641 nm. The amount of material consumed was recorded as well. Time-resolved temperatures were determined. Two distinct ignition regimes were observed. Prompt ignition occurred within 10 µs of the electric discharge, comparable to what had previously been observed for corresponding powder monolayers. This ignition mode was observed for composites with Bi2O3 and Fe2O3 ignited with a 12-kV discharge, whereas it only occurred at higher spark voltage (20 kV) and energy for CuO and MoO3 composites. Delayed ignition, occurring after 0.1-1 ms following the discharge, was observed for all composites with consistently stronger light emission. Analysis of quenched, partially burned particles showed that the original nanostructure was preserved after prompt ignition but not after delayed ignition. It is proposed that prompt ignition represents direct ESD initiation of composite particles rapidly and adiabatically preheated to high temperatures while keeping the nanostructure intact, resulting in a heterogeneous reaction consuming most of the aluminum. Delayed ignition occurs when particles preheated to lower temperatures start oxidizing at much lower rates, leading to cloud combustion, in which thermal interaction between individual aerosolized burning particles is substantial. During this process, the nanostructure may be lost. Temperature measurements show that nanocomposites with CuO and MoO3 burned superadiabatically with flame temperatures exceeding thermodynamic predictions.

Two-stage autoignition and edge flames in a high pressure turbulent jet

DOE PAGES

Krisman, Alex; Hawkes, Evatt R.; Chen, Jacqueline H.

2017-07-04

A three-dimensional direct numerical simulation is conducted for a temporally evolving planar jet of n-heptane at a pressure of 40 atmospheres and in a coflow of air at 1100 K. At these conditions, n-heptane exhibits a two-stage ignition due to low- and high-temperature chemistry, which is reproduced by the global chemical model used in this study. The results show that ignition occurs in several overlapping stages and multiple modes of combustion are present. Low-temperature chemistry precedes the formation of multiple spatially localised high-temperature chemistry autoignition events, referred to as ‘kernels’. These kernels form within the shear layer and core ofmore » the jet at compositions with short homogeneous ignition delay times and in locations experiencing low scalar dissipation rates. An analysis of the kernel histories shows that the ignition delay time is correlated with the mixing rate history and that the ignition kernels tend to form in vortically dominated regions of the domain, as corroborated by an analysis of the topology of the velocity gradient tensor. Once ignited, the kernels grow rapidly and establish edge flames where they envelop the stoichiometric isosurface. A combination of kernel formation (autoignition) and the growth of existing burning surface (via edge-flame propagation) contributes to the overall ignition process. In conclusion, an analysis of propagation speeds evaluated on the burning surface suggests that although the edge-flame speed is promoted by the autoignitive conditions due to an increase in the local laminar flame speed, edge-flame propagation of existing burning surfaces (triggered initially by isolated autoignition kernels) is the dominant ignition mode in the present configuration.« less

The Reduced Effectiveness of EGR to Mitigate Knock at High Loads in Boosted SI Engines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szybist, James P.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Splitter, Derek A.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can attenuate knock propensity in spark ignition (SI) engines at naturally aspirated or lightly boosted conditions. In this paper, we investigate the role of cooled EGR under higher load conditions with multiple fuel compositions, where highly retarded combustion phasing typical of modern SI engines was used. It was found that under these conditions, EGR attenuation of knock is greatly reduced, where EGR doesn’t allow significant combustion phasing advance as it does under lighter load conditions. Detailed combustion analysis shows that when EGR is added, the polytropic coefficient increases causing the compressivemore » pressure and temperature to increase. At sufficiently highly boosted conditions, the increase in polytropic coefficient and additional trapped mass from EGR can sufficiently reduce fuel ignition delay to overcome knock attenuation effects. Kinetic modeling demonstrates that the effectiveness of EGR to mitigate knock is highly dependent on the pressure-temperature condition. Experiments at 2000 rpm have confirmed reduced fuel ignition delay under highly boosted conditions relevant to modern downsized boosted SI engines, where in-cylinder pressure is higher and the temperature is cooler. Finally, at these conditions, charge reactivity increases compared to naturally aspirated conditions, and attenuation of knock by EGR is reduced.« less

The Reduced Effectiveness of EGR to Mitigate Knock at High Loads in Boosted SI Engines

DOE PAGES

Szybist, James P.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Splitter, Derek A.; ...

2017-09-04

Numerous studies have demonstrated that exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can attenuate knock propensity in spark ignition (SI) engines at naturally aspirated or lightly boosted conditions. In this paper, we investigate the role of cooled EGR under higher load conditions with multiple fuel compositions, where highly retarded combustion phasing typical of modern SI engines was used. It was found that under these conditions, EGR attenuation of knock is greatly reduced, where EGR doesn’t allow significant combustion phasing advance as it does under lighter load conditions. Detailed combustion analysis shows that when EGR is added, the polytropic coefficient increases causing the compressivemore » pressure and temperature to increase. At sufficiently highly boosted conditions, the increase in polytropic coefficient and additional trapped mass from EGR can sufficiently reduce fuel ignition delay to overcome knock attenuation effects. Kinetic modeling demonstrates that the effectiveness of EGR to mitigate knock is highly dependent on the pressure-temperature condition. Experiments at 2000 rpm have confirmed reduced fuel ignition delay under highly boosted conditions relevant to modern downsized boosted SI engines, where in-cylinder pressure is higher and the temperature is cooler. Finally, at these conditions, charge reactivity increases compared to naturally aspirated conditions, and attenuation of knock by EGR is reduced.« less

Spot Radiative Ignition and Subsequent Three Dimensional Flame Spread Over Thin Cellulose Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, Sandra L.; Kashiwagi, T.; Kikuchi, M.; Fujita, O.; Ito, K.

1999-01-01

Spontaneous radiative ignition and transition to flame spread over thin cellulose fuel samples was studied aboard the USMP-3 STS-75 Space Shuttle mission, and in three test series in the 10 second Japan Microgravity Center (JAMIC). A focused beam from a tungsten/halogen lamp was used to ignite the center of the fuel sample while an external air flow was varied from 0 to 10 cm/s. Non-piloted radiative ignition of the paper was found to occur more easily in microgravity than in normal gravity. Ignition of the sample was achieved under all conditions studied (shuttle cabin air, 21%-50% O2 in JAMIC), with transition to flame spread occurring for all but the lowest oxygen and flow conditions. While radiative ignition in a quiescent atmosphere was achieved, the flame quickly extinguished in air. The ignition delay time was proportional to the gas-phase mixing time, which is estimated using the inverse flow rate. The ignition delay was a much stronger function of flow at lower oxygen concentrations. After ignition, the flame initially spread only upstream, in a fan-shaped pattern. The fan angle increased with increasing external flow and oxygen concentration from zero angle (tunneling flame spread) at the limiting 0.5 cm/s external air flow, to 90 degrees (semicircular flame spread) for external flows at and above 5 cm/s, and higher oxygen concentrations. The fan angle was shown to be directly related to the limiting air flow velocity. Despite the convective heating from the upstream flame, the downstream flame was inhibited due to the 'oxygen shadow' of the upstream flame for the air flow conditions studied. Downstream flame spread rates in air, measured after upstream flame spread was complete and extinguished, were slower than upstream flame spread rates at the same flow. The quench regime for the transition to flame spread was skewed toward the downstream, due to the augmenting role of diffusion for opposed flow flame spread, versus the canceling effect of diffusion at very low cocurrent flows.

A New Test Method for Material Flammability Assessment in Microgravity and Extraterrestrial Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, S. L.; Beeson, H. D.; Haas, J. P.; Baas, J. S.

2004-01-01

The standard oxygen consumption (cone) calorimeter (described in ASTM E 1354 and NASA STD 6001 Test 2) is modified to provide a bench-scale test environment that simulates the low velocity buoyant or ventilation flow generated by or around a burning surface in a spacecraft or extraterrestrial gravity level. The Equivalent Low Stretch Apparatus (ELSA) uses an inverted cone geometry with the sample burning in a ceiling fire (stagnation flow) configuration. For a fixed radiant flux, ignition delay times for characterization material PMMA are shown to decrease by a factor of three at low stretch, demonstrating that ignition delay times determined from normal cone tests significantly underestimate the risk in microgravity. The critical heat flux for ignition is found to be lowered at low stretch as the convective cooling is reduced. At the limit of no stretch, any heat flux that exceeds the surface radiative loss at the surface ignition temperature is sufficient for ignition. Regression rates for PMMA increase with heat flux and stretch rate, but regression rates are much more sensitive to heat flux at the low stretch rates, where a modest increase in heat flux of 25 kW/m2 increases the burning rates by an order of magnitude. The global equivalence ratio of these flames is very fuel rich, and the quantity of CO produced in this configuration is significantly higher than standard cone tests. These results [2] demonstrate the ELSA apparatus allows us to conduct normal gravity experiments that accurately and quantifiably evaluate a material s flammability characteristics in the real-use environment of spacecraft or extra-terrestrial gravitational acceleration. These results also demonstrate that current NASA STD 6001 Test 2 (standard cone) is not conservative since it evaluates materials flammability with a much higher inherent buoyant convective flow.

Ignition and combustion of aluminum/magnesium alloy particles in O2 at high pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Ted A.; Burton, Rodney L.; Krier, Herman

1993-01-01

The ignition and combustion of Al, Mg, and Al/Mg alloy particles in 99 percent O2/1 percent N2 mixtures is investigated at high temperatures and pressures for rocket engine applications. The 20-micron particles contain 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 wt pct Mg alloyed with Al, and are ignited in oxygen using the reflected shock in a single-pulse shock tube near the endwall. Using this technique, the ignition delay and combustion times of the particles are measured at temperatures up to 3250 K as a function of Mg content for oxygen pressures of 8.5, 17, and 34 atm. An ignition model is developed that employs a simple lumped capacitance energy equation and temperature and pressure dependent particle and gas properties. Good agreement is achieved between the measured and predicted trends in the ignition delay times.

Study on coal char ignition by radiant heat flux.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korotkikh, A. G.; Slyusarskiy, K. V.

2017-11-01

The study on coal char ignition by CO2-continuous laser was carried out. The coal char samples of T-grade bituminous coal and 2B-grade lignite were studied via CO2-laser ignition setup. Ignition delay times were determined at ambient condition in heat flux density range 90-200 W/cm2. The average ignition delay time value for lignite samples were 2 times lower while this difference is larger in high heat flux region and lower in low heat flux region. The kinetic constants for overall oxidation reaction were determined using analytic solution of simplified one-dimensional heat transfer equation with radiant heat transfer boundary condition. The activation energy for lignite char was found to be less than it is for bituminous coal char by approximately 20 %.

Investigation of the ignition of liquid hydrocarbon fuels with nanoadditives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakulin, V. N.; Velikodnyi, V. Yu.; Levin, Yu. K.; Popov, V. V.

2017-12-01

During our experimental studies we showed a high efficiency of the influence of nanoparticle additives on the stability of the ignition of hydrocarbon fuels and the stabilization of their combustion in a highfrequency high-voltage discharge. We detected the effects of a jet deceleration, an increase in the volume of the combustible mixture, and a reduction in the inflammation delay time. These effects have been estimated quantitatively by digitally processing the video frames of the ignition of a bubbled kerosene jet with 0.5% graphene nanoparticle additives and without these additives. This effect has been explained by the influence of electrodynamic processes.

Simulating flame lift-off characteristics of diesel and biodiesel fuels using detailed chemical-kinetic mechanisms and LES turbulence model.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Som, S; Longman, D. E.; Luo, Z

2012-01-01

Combustion in direct-injection diesel engines occurs in a lifted, turbulent diffusion flame mode. Numerous studies indicate that the combustion and emissions in such engines are strongly influenced by the lifted flame characteristics, which are in turn determined by fuel and air mixing in the upstream region of the lifted flame, and consequently by the liquid breakup and spray development processes. From a numerical standpoint, these spray combustion processes depend heavily on the choice of underlying spray, combustion, and turbulence models. The present numerical study investigates the influence of different chemical kinetic mechanisms for diesel and biodiesel fuels, as well asmore » Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence models on predicting flame lift-off lengths (LOLs) and ignition delays. Specifically, two chemical kinetic mechanisms for n-heptane (NHPT) and three for biodiesel surrogates are investigated. In addition, the RNG k-{epsilon} (RANS) model is compared to the Smagorinsky based LES turbulence model. Using adaptive grid resolution, minimum grid sizes of 250 {micro}m and 125 {micro}m were obtained for the RANS and LES cases respectively. Validations of these models were performed against experimental data from Sandia National Laboratories in a constant volume combustion chamber. Ignition delay and flame lift-off validations were performed at different ambient temperature conditions. The LES model predicts lower ignition delays and qualitatively better flame structures compared to the RNG k-{epsilon} model. The use of realistic chemistry and a ternary surrogate mixture, which consists of methyl decanoate, methyl 9-decenoate, and NHPT, results in better predicted LOLs and ignition delays. For diesel fuel though, only marginal improvements are observed by using larger size mechanisms. However, these improved predictions come at a significant increase in computational cost.« less

Understanding the ignition mechanism of high-pressure spray flames

DOE PAGES

Dahms, Rainer N.; Paczko, Günter A.; Skeen, Scott A.; ...

2016-10-25

A conceptual model for turbulent ignition in high-pressure spray flames is presented. The model is motivated by first-principles simulations and optical diagnostics applied to the Sandia n-dodecane experiment. The Lagrangian flamelet equations are combined with full LLNL kinetics (2755 species; 11,173 reactions) to resolve all time and length scales and chemical pathways of the ignition process at engine-relevant pressures and turbulence intensities unattainable using classic DNS. The first-principles value of the flamelet equations is established by a novel chemical explosive mode-diffusion time scale analysis of the fully-coupled chemical and turbulent time scales. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this analysis reveals thatmore » the high Damköhler number limit, a key requirement for the validity of the flamelet derivation from the reactive Navier–Stokes equations, applies during the entire ignition process. Corroborating Rayleigh-scattering and formaldehyde PLIF with simultaneous schlieren imaging of mixing and combustion are presented. Our combined analysis establishes a characteristic temporal evolution of the ignition process. First, a localized first-stage ignition event consistently occurs in highest temperature mixture regions. This initiates, owed to the intense scalar dissipation, a turbulent cool flame wave propagating from this ignition spot through the entire flow field. This wave significantly decreases the ignition delay of lower temperature mixture regions in comparison to their homogeneous reference. This explains the experimentally observed formaldehyde formation across the entire spray head prior to high-temperature ignition which consistently occurs first in a broad range of rich mixture regions. There, the combination of first-stage ignition delay, shortened by the cool flame wave, and the subsequent delay until second-stage ignition becomes minimal. A turbulent flame subsequently propagates rapidly through the entire mixture over time scales consistent with experimental observations. As a result, we demonstrate that the neglect of turbulence-chemistry-interactions fundamentally fails to capture the key features of this ignition process.« less

Effects of season on ignition of live wildland fuels using the forced ignition and flame spread test apparatus

Treesearch

S. McAllister; D. R. Weise

2017-01-01

An understanding of what variables affect the ignition of live wildland fuels is crucial to predicting crown fire spread, the most poorly understood type of wildland fire. Ignition tests were performed over the course of an entire year for ten species (three species in year one, seven in year two) to evaluate seasonal changes in flammability. Ignition delay and mass...

Extending operating range of a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine via cylinder deactivation

DOEpatents

Hergart, Carl-Anders [Peoria, IL; Hardy, William L [Peoria, IL; Duffy, Kevin P [Metamora, IL; Liechty, Michael P [Chillicothe, IL

2008-05-27

An HCCI engine has the ability to operate over a large load range by utilizing a lower cetane distillate diesel fuel to increase ignition delay. This permits more stable operation at high loads by avoidance of premature combustion before top dead center. During low load conditions, a portion of the engines cylinders are deactivated so that the remaining cylinders can operate at a pseudo higher load while the overall engine exhibits behavior typical of a relatively low load.

Flow Effects on the Flammability Diagrams of Solid Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cordova, J. L.; Ceamanos, J.; Fernandez-Pello, A. C.; Long, R. T.; Torero, J. L.; Quintiere, J. G.

1997-01-01

A research program is currently underway with the final objective of developing a fundamental understanding of the controlling mechanisms underlying the flammability diagrams of solid combustible materials and their derived fire properties. Given that there is a high possibility of an accidental fire occurring in a space-based facility, understanding the fire properties of materials that will be used in such facilities is of critical importance. With this purpose, the flammability diagrams of the materials, as those produced by the Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread Test (LIFT) apparatus and by a new forced flow device, the Forced Flow Ignition and Flame Spread Test (FIST) apparatus, will be obtained. The specific objective of the program is to apply the new flammability apparatus, which will more accurately reflect the potential ambient conditions of space-based environments, to the characterization of the materials for space applications. This paper presents a parametric study of oxidizer flow effects on the ignition curve of the flammability diagrams of PMMA. The dependence of the ignition delay time on the external radiant flux and either the sample width (LIFT) or the flow velocity (FIST) has been studied. Although preliminary, the results indicate that natural and forced convection flow changes, affect the characteristics of the ignition curves of the flammability diagrams. The major effect on the ignition time appears to be due to convective transfer variations at the fuel surface. At high radiant fluxes or high flow velocities, however, it appears that gas phase processes become increasingly important, affecting the overall ignition delay time. A numerical analysis of the solid fuel heating and pyrolysis has also been developed. The theoretical predictions approximate the experiments well for conditions in which the gas phase induction time is negligible.

Fuel and Combustor Concerns for Future Commercial Combustors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, Clarence T.

2017-01-01

Civil aircraft combustor designs will move from rich-burn to lean-burn due to the latter's advantage in low NOx and nvPM emissions. However, the operating range of lean-burn is narrower, requiring premium mixing performance from the fuel injectors. As the OPR increases, the corresponding combustor inlet temperature increase can benefit greatly with fuel composition improvements. Hydro-treatment can improve coking resistance, allowing finer fuel injection orifices to speed up mixing. Selective cetane number control across the fuel carbon-number distribution may allow delayed ignition at high power while maintaining low-power ignition characteristics.

The use of tyre pyrolysis oil in diesel engines.

PubMed

Murugan, S; Ramaswamy, M C; Nagarajan, G

2008-12-01

Tests have been carried out to evaluate the performance, emission, and combustion characteristics of a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine fueled with 10%, 30%, and 50% of tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) blended with diesel fuel (DF). The TPO was derived from waste automobile tyres through vacuum pyrolysis. The combustion parameters such as heat release rate, cylinder peak pressure, and maximum rate of pressure rise also analysed. Results showed that the brake thermal efficiency of the engine fueled with TPO-DF blends increased with an increase in blend concentration and reduction of DF concentration. NO(x), HC, CO, and smoke emissions were found to be higher at higher loads due to the high aromatic content and longer ignition delay. The cylinder peak pressure increased from 71 bars to 74 bars. The ignition delays were longer than with DF. It is concluded that it is possible to use tyre pyrolysis oil in diesel engines as an alternate fuel in the future.

Ignition Delay Associated with a Strained Strip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerk, T. J.; Karagozian, A. R.

1996-01-01

Ignition processes associated with two adjacent fuel-oxidizer interferences bounding a strained fuel strip are explored here using single-step activation energy asymptotics. Calculations are made for constant as well as temporally decaying strain fields. There possible models of ignition are determined: one in which the two interfaces ignite independently as diffusion flames; one in which the two interfaces ignite dependently and in which ignition occurs to form a single , premixed flame at very high strain rates before ignition is completely prevented. In contrast to a single, isolated interface in which ignition can be prevented by overmatching heat production with heat convection due to strain, ignition of a strained fuel strip can also be prevented if the finite extend of fuel is diluted by oxidizer more quickly than heat production can cause a positive feedback thermal runaway. These behaviors are dependent on the relative sizes of timescales associated with species and heat diffusion, with convection due to strain, and with the chemical reaction. The result here indicate that adjacent, strained species interfaces may ignite quite differently in nature from ignition of a single, strained intrface and that their interdependence should be considered as the interfaces are brought closer together in complex strain fields. Critical strain rates leading to complete ignition delay are found to be considerably smaller for the fuel strip than those for single interfaces as the fuel strip is made thin in comparison to diffusion and chemical length scales.

Literature Review of Cetane Number and Its Correlations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-05-01

comprising distillate and residual fuels, Zeelenberg , et al. (141 obtained a correlation between CCAI and ignition delay. B. Calculated Ignition...1: An Improved Cetane Number Predictor," SAE Paper 861519, (1986). 14. Zeelenberg , A. P., Fijn Van Draat, H. J., and Barker, H. L., "The Ignition

Method and apparatus for the control of fluid dynamic mixing in pulse combustors

DOEpatents

Bramlette, T.T.; Keller, J.O.

1992-06-02

In a method and apparatus for controlling total ignition delay time in a pulse combustor, and thus controlling the mixing characteristics of the combustion reactants and the combustion products in the combustor, the total ignition delay time is controlled by adjusting the inlet geometry of the inlet to the combustion chamber. The inlet geometry may be fixed or variable for controlling the mixing characteristics. A feedback loop may be employed to sense actual combustion characteristics, and, in response to the sensed combustion characteristics, the inlet geometry may be varied to obtain the total ignition delay time necessary to achieve the desired combustion characteristics. Various embodiments relate to the varying of the mass flow rate of reactants while holding the radius/velocity ratio constant. 10 figs.

Method and apparatus for the control of fluid dynamic mixing in pulse combustors

DOEpatents

Bramlette, T. Tazwell; Keller, Jay O.

1992-06-02

In a method and apparatus for controlling total ignition delay time in a pulse combustor, and thus controlling the mixing characteristics of the combustion reactants and the combustion products in the combustor, the total ignition delay time is controlled by adjusting the inlet geometry of the inlet to the combustion chamber. The inlet geometry may be fixed or variable for controlling the mixing characteristics. A feedback loop may be employed to sense actual combustion characteristics, and, in response to the sensed combustion characteristics, the inlet geometry may be varied to obtain the total ignition delay time necessary to achieve the desired combustion characteristics. Various embodiments relate to the varying of the mass flow rate of reactants while holding the radius/velocity ratio constant.

Altitude Starting Tests of a 1000-Pound-Thrust Solid-Propellant Rocket

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sloop, John L.; Rollbuhler, R. James; Krawczonek, Eugene M.

1957-01-01

Four solid-propellant rocket engines of nominal 1000-pound-thrust were tested for starting characteristics at pressure altitudes ranging from 112,500 to 123,000 feet and at a temperature of -75 F. All engines ignited and operated successfully. Average chamber pressures ranged from 1060 to ll90 pounds per square inch absolute with action times from 1.51 to 1.64 seconds and ignition delays from 0.070 t o approximately 0.088 second. The chamber pressures and action times were near the specifications, but the ignition delay was almost twice the specified value of 0.040 second.

Effects of injection parameters, boost, and swirl ratio on gasoline compression ignition operation at idle and low-load conditions

DOE PAGES

Kodavasal, Janardhan; Kolodziej, Christopher P.; Ciatti, Stephen A.; ...

2016-11-03

In this study, we study the effects of injector nozzle inclusion angle, injection pressure, boost, and swirl ratio on gasoline compression ignition combustion. Closed-cycle computational fluid dynamics simulations using a 1/7th sector mesh representing a single cylinder of a four-cylinder 1.9 L diesel engine, operated in gasoline compression ignition mode with 87 anti-knock index (AKI) gasoline, were performed. Two different operating conditions were studied—the first is representative of idle operation (4 mg fuel/cylinder/cycle, 850 r/min), and the second is representative of a low-load condition (10 mg fuel/cylinder/cycle, 1500 r/min). The mixture preparation and reaction space from the simulations were analyzedmore » to gain insights into the effects of injection pressure, nozzle inclusion angle, boost, and swirl ratio on achieving stable low-load to idle gasoline compression ignition operation. It was found that narrower nozzle inclusion angles allow for more reactivity or propensity to ignition (determined qualitatively by computing constant volume ignition delays) and are suitable over a wider range of injection timings. Under idle conditions, it was found that lower injection pressures helped to reduce overmixing of the fuel, resulting in greater reactivity and ignitability (ease with which ignition can be achieved) of the gasoline. However, under the low-load condition, lower injection pressures did not increase ignitability, and it is hypothesized that this is because of reduced chemical residence time resulting from longer injection durations. Reduced swirl was found to maintain higher in-cylinder temperatures through compression, resulting in better ignitability. It was found that boosting the charge also helped to increase reactivity and advanced ignition timing.« less

Effects of injection parameters, boost, and swirl ratio on gasoline compression ignition operation at idle and low-load conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kodavasal, Janardhan; Kolodziej, Christopher P.; Ciatti, Stephen A.

In this study, we study the effects of injector nozzle inclusion angle, injection pressure, boost, and swirl ratio on gasoline compression ignition combustion. Closed-cycle computational fluid dynamics simulations using a 1/7th sector mesh representing a single cylinder of a four-cylinder 1.9 L diesel engine, operated in gasoline compression ignition mode with 87 anti-knock index (AKI) gasoline, were performed. Two different operating conditions were studied—the first is representative of idle operation (4 mg fuel/cylinder/cycle, 850 r/min), and the second is representative of a low-load condition (10 mg fuel/cylinder/cycle, 1500 r/min). The mixture preparation and reaction space from the simulations were analyzedmore » to gain insights into the effects of injection pressure, nozzle inclusion angle, boost, and swirl ratio on achieving stable low-load to idle gasoline compression ignition operation. It was found that narrower nozzle inclusion angles allow for more reactivity or propensity to ignition (determined qualitatively by computing constant volume ignition delays) and are suitable over a wider range of injection timings. Under idle conditions, it was found that lower injection pressures helped to reduce overmixing of the fuel, resulting in greater reactivity and ignitability (ease with which ignition can be achieved) of the gasoline. However, under the low-load condition, lower injection pressures did not increase ignitability, and it is hypothesized that this is because of reduced chemical residence time resulting from longer injection durations. Reduced swirl was found to maintain higher in-cylinder temperatures through compression, resulting in better ignitability. It was found that boosting the charge also helped to increase reactivity and advanced ignition timing.« less

A direct numerical simulation of cool-flame affected autoignition in diesel engine-relevant conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krisman, Alex; Hawkes, Evatt R.; Talei, Mohsen

In diesel engines, combustion is initiated by a two-staged autoignition that includes both low- and high-temperature chemistry. The location and timing of both stages of autoignition are important parameters that influence the development and stabilisation of the flame. In this study, a two-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) is conducted to provide a fully resolved description of ignition at diesel engine-relevant conditions. The DNS is performed at a pressure of 40 atmospheres and at an ambient temperature of 900 K using dimethyl ether (DME) as the fuel, with a 30 species reduced chemical mechanism. At these conditions, similar to diesel fuel,more » DME exhibits two-stage ignition. The focus of this study is on the behaviour of the low-temperature chemistry (LTC) and the way in which it influences the high-temperature ignition. The results show that the LTC develops as a “spotty” first-stage autoignition in lean regions which transitions to a diffusively supported cool-flame and then propagates up the local mixture fraction gradient towards richer regions. The cool-flame speed is much faster than can be attributed to spatial gradients in first-stage ignition delay time in homogeneous reactors. The cool-flame causes a shortening of the second-stage ignition delay times compared to a homogeneous reactor and the shortening becomes more pronounced at richer mixtures. Multiple high-temperature ignition kernels are observed over a range of rich mixtures that are much richer than the homogeneous most reactive mixture and most kernels form much earlier than suggested by the homogeneous ignition delay time of the corresponding local mixture. Altogether, the results suggest that LTC can strongly influence both the timing and location in composition space of the high-temperature ignition.« less

Ignition Delay Experiments with Small-scale Rocket Engine at Simulated Altitude Conditions Using Various Fuels with Nitric Acid Oxidants / Dezso J. Ladanyi

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ladanyi, Dezso J

1952-01-01

Ignition delay determinations of several fuels with nitric oxidants were made at simulated altitude conditions utilizing a small-scale rocket engine of approximately 50 pounds thrust. Included in the fuels were aniline, hydrazine hydrate, furfuryl alcohol, furfuryl mercaptan, turpentine, and mixtures of triethylamine with mixed xylidines and diallyaniline. Red fuming, white fuming, and anhydrous nitric acids were used with and without additives. A diallylaniline - triethylamine mixture and a red fuming nitric acid analyzing 3.5 percent water and 16 percent NO2 by weight was found to have a wide temperature-pressure ignition range, yielding average delays from 13 milliseconds at 110 degrees F to 55 milliseconds at -95 degrees F regardless of the initial ambient pressure that ranged from sea-level pressure altitude of 94,000 feet.

Ignition delay times of benzene and toluene with oxygen in argon mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burcat, A.; Snyder, C.; Brabbs, T.

1985-01-01

The ignition delay times of benzene and toluene with oxygen diluted in argon were investigated over a wide range of conditions. For benzene the concentration ranges were 0.42 to 1.69 percent fuel and 3.78 to 20.3 percent oxygen. The temperature range was 1212 to 1748 K and the reflected shock pressures were 1.7 to 7.89 atm. Statistical evaluation of the benzene experiments provided an overall equation which is given. For toluene the concentration ranges were 0.5 to 1.5 percent fuel and 4.48 to 13.45 percent oxygen. The temperature range was 1339 to 1797 K and the reflected shock pressures were 1.95 to 8.85 atm. The overall ignition delay equation for toluene after a statistical evaluation is also given. Detailed experimental information is provided.

Influence of gas temperature on ignition, burning and extinction of carbon particles-gas suspension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlovskaya, S. G.; Zuy, O. N.; Liseanskaia, M. V.

2017-11-01

The ignition and burning of monodisperse and two-fraction suspensions of carbon particles at gas temperature in the range 1100 ÷ 1500 K are modeled. The critical gas temperature of the suspension ignition, the particles ignition delay and burning time, the burning temperature, and the extinction parameters are determined. The data obtained are compared with burning characteristics of single particle of equal size. The ignition temperatures of the fine fraction (the particle diameter 60 μm) and the coarse one (120 μm) are practically the same. The ignition temperatures of the equivalent single particles are much higher and they differ by 100 K and more. The gas temperature is found below which the ignition delay of the fine fraction exceeds the one of the coarse fraction. It is found that, at critical ignition temperatures the burning temperature of the fine fraction is lower than that of the coarse fraction. At gas temperatures above 1250 K, the burning temperature of the fine fraction is higher. It is established that, in contrast to single particles, the temperature difference between the particles and the gas is small during gas-suspension extinction. Further oxidation of the particles occurs in the kinetic regime, so it is possible to estimate the time of their complete conversion.

Experimental and numerical investigation on the ignition and combustion stability in solid fuel ramjet with swirling flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musa, Omer; Xiong, Chen; Changsheng, Zhou

2017-08-01

The present article investigates experimentally and numerically the ignition and flame stability of high-density polyethylene solid fuel with incoming swirling air through a solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ). A new design of swirler is proposed and used in this work. Experiments on connected pipes test facility were performed for SFRJ with and without swirl. An in-house code has been developed to simulate unsteady, turbulent, reacting, swirling flow in the SFRJ. Four different swirl intensities are utilized to study experimentally and numerically the effect of swirl number on the transient regression, ignition of the solid fuel in a hot-oxidizing flow and combustion phenomenon in the SFRJ. The results showed that using swirl flow decreases the ignition time delay, recirculation zone length, and the distance between the flame and the wall, meanwhile, increases the residence time, heat transfer, regression rate and mixing degree, thus, improving the combustion efficiency and stability.

Compositional effects on the ignition of FACE gasolines [Compositional effects on the ignition of FACE gasoline fuels: experiments, surrogate fuel formulation, and chemical kinetic modeling

DOE PAGES

Sarathy, S. Mani; Kukkadapu, Goutham; Mehl, Marco; ...

2016-05-08

As regulatory measures for improved fuel economy and decreased emissions are pushing gasoline engine combustion technologies towards extreme conditions (i.e., boosted and intercooled intake with exhaust gas recirculation), fuel ignition characteristics become increasingly important for enabling stable operation. Here, this study explores the effects of chemical composition on the fundamental ignition behavior of gasoline fuels. Two well-characterized, high-octane, non-oxygenated FACE (Fuels for Advanced Combustion Engines) gasolines, FACE F and FACE G, having similar antiknock indices but different octane sensitivities and chemical compositions are studied. Ignition experiments were conducted in shock tubes and a rapid compression machine (RCM) at nominal pressuresmore » of 20 and 40 atm, equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1.0, and temperatures ranging from 650 to 1270 K. Results at temperatures above 900 K indicate that ignition delay time is similar for these fuels. However, RCM measurements below 900 K demonstrate a stronger negative temperature coefficient behavior for FACE F gasoline having lower octane sensitivity. In addition, RCM pressure profiles under two-stage ignition conditions illustrate that the magnitude of low-temperature heat release (LTHR) increases with decreasing fuel octane sensitivity. However, intermediate-temperature heat release is shown to increase as fuel octane sensitivity increases. Various surrogate fuel mixtures were formulated to conduct chemical kinetic modeling, and complex multicomponent surrogate mixtures were shown to reproduce experimentally observed trends better than simpler two- and three-component mixtures composed of n-heptane, iso-octane, and toluene. Measurements in a Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) engine demonstrated that the multicomponent surrogates accurately captured the antiknock quality of the FACE gasolines. Simulations were performed using multicomponent surrogates for FACE F and G to reveal the underlying chemical kinetics linking fuel composition with ignition characteristics. Finally, a key discovery of this work is the kinetic coupling between aromatics and naphthenes, which affects the radical pool population and thereby controls ignition.« less

Compositional effects on the ignition of FACE gasolines [Compositional effects on the ignition of FACE gasoline fuels: experiments, surrogate fuel formulation, and chemical kinetic modeling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sarathy, S. Mani; Kukkadapu, Goutham; Mehl, Marco

As regulatory measures for improved fuel economy and decreased emissions are pushing gasoline engine combustion technologies towards extreme conditions (i.e., boosted and intercooled intake with exhaust gas recirculation), fuel ignition characteristics become increasingly important for enabling stable operation. Here, this study explores the effects of chemical composition on the fundamental ignition behavior of gasoline fuels. Two well-characterized, high-octane, non-oxygenated FACE (Fuels for Advanced Combustion Engines) gasolines, FACE F and FACE G, having similar antiknock indices but different octane sensitivities and chemical compositions are studied. Ignition experiments were conducted in shock tubes and a rapid compression machine (RCM) at nominal pressuresmore » of 20 and 40 atm, equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1.0, and temperatures ranging from 650 to 1270 K. Results at temperatures above 900 K indicate that ignition delay time is similar for these fuels. However, RCM measurements below 900 K demonstrate a stronger negative temperature coefficient behavior for FACE F gasoline having lower octane sensitivity. In addition, RCM pressure profiles under two-stage ignition conditions illustrate that the magnitude of low-temperature heat release (LTHR) increases with decreasing fuel octane sensitivity. However, intermediate-temperature heat release is shown to increase as fuel octane sensitivity increases. Various surrogate fuel mixtures were formulated to conduct chemical kinetic modeling, and complex multicomponent surrogate mixtures were shown to reproduce experimentally observed trends better than simpler two- and three-component mixtures composed of n-heptane, iso-octane, and toluene. Measurements in a Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) engine demonstrated that the multicomponent surrogates accurately captured the antiknock quality of the FACE gasolines. Simulations were performed using multicomponent surrogates for FACE F and G to reveal the underlying chemical kinetics linking fuel composition with ignition characteristics. Finally, a key discovery of this work is the kinetic coupling between aromatics and naphthenes, which affects the radical pool population and thereby controls ignition.« less

An experimental and detailed chemical kinetic modeling study of hydrogen and syngas mixture oxidation at elevated pressures

DOE PAGES

Keromnes, Alan; Metcalfe, Wayne K.; Heufer, Karl A.; ...

2013-03-12

The oxidation of syngas mixtures was investigated experimentally and simulated with an updated chemical kinetic model. Ignition delay times for H 2/CO/O 2/N 2/Ar mixtures have been measured using two rapid compression machines and shock tubes at pressures from 1 to 70 bar, over a temperature range of 914–2220 K and at equivalence ratios from 0.1 to 4.0. Results show a strong dependence of ignition times on temperature and pressure at the end of the compression; ignition delays decrease with increasing temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio. The reactivity of the syngas mixtures was found to be governed by hydrogen chemistrymore » for CO concentrations lower than 50% in the fuel mixture. For higher CO concentrations, an inhibiting effect of CO was observed. Flame speeds were measured in helium for syngas mixtures with a high CO content and at elevated pressures of 5 and 10 atm using the spherically expanding flame method. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for hydrogen and H 2/CO (syngas) mixtures has been updated, rate constants have been adjusted to reflect new experimental information obtained at high pressures and new rate constant values recently published in the literature. Experimental results for ignition delay times and flame speeds have been compared with predictions using our newly revised chemical kinetic mechanism, and good agreement was observed. In the mechanism validation, particular emphasis is placed on predicting experimental data at high pressures (up to 70 bar) and intermediate- to high-temperature conditions, particularly important for applications in internal combustion engines and gas turbines. The reaction sequence H 2 + HO˙ 2 ↔ H˙+H 2O 2 followed by H 2O 2(+M) ↔ O˙H+O˙H(+M) was found to play a key role in hydrogen ignition under high-pressure and intermediate-temperature conditions. The rate constant for H 2+HO˙ 2 showed strong sensitivity to high-pressure ignition times and has considerable uncertainty, based on literature values. As a result, a rate constant for this reaction is recommended based on available literature values and on our mechanism validation.« less

Convective Heat Transfer Scaling of Ignition Delay and Burning Rate with Heat Flux and Stretch Rate in the Equivalent Low Stretch Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, Sandra

2011-01-01

To better evaluate the buoyant contributions to the convective cooling (or heating) inherent in normal-gravity material flammability test methods, we derive a convective heat transfer correlation that can be used to account for the forced convective stretch effects on the net radiant heat flux for both ignition delay time and burning rate. The Equivalent Low Stretch Apparatus (ELSA) uses an inverted cone heater to minimize buoyant effects while at the same time providing a forced stagnation flow on the sample, which ignites and burns as a ceiling fire. Ignition delay and burning rate data is correlated with incident heat flux and convective heat transfer and compared to results from other test methods and fuel geometries using similarity to determine the equivalent stretch rates and thus convective cooling (or heating) rates for those geometries. With this correlation methodology, buoyant effects inherent in normal gravity material flammability test methods can be estimated, to better apply the test results to low stretch environments relevant to spacecraft material selection.

Ignition of a Droplet of Composite Liquid Fuel in a Vortex Combustion Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valiullin, T. R.; Vershinina, K. Yu; Glushkov, D. O.; Strizhak, P. A.

2017-11-01

Experimental study results of a droplet ignition and combustion were obtained for coal-water slurry containing petrochemicals (CWSP) prepared from coal processing waste, low-grade coal and waste petroleum products. A comparative analysis of process characteristics were carried out in different conditions of fuel droplet interaction with heated air flow: droplet soars in air flow in a vortex combustion chamber, droplet soars in ascending air flow in a cone-shaped combustion chamber, and droplet is placed in a thermocouple junction and motionless in air flow. The size (initial radii) of CWSP droplet was varied in the range of 0.5-1.5 mm. The ignition delay time of fuel was determined by the intensity of the visible glow in the vicinity of the droplet during CWSP combustion. It was established (under similar conditions) that ignition delay time of CWSP droplets in the combustion chamber is lower in 2-3.5 times than similar characteristic in conditions of motionless droplet placed in a thermocouple junction. The average value of ignition delay time of CWSP droplet is 3-12 s in conditions of oxidizer temperature is 600-850 K. Obtained experimental results were explained by the influence of heat and mass transfer processes in the droplet vicinity on ignition characteristics in different conditions of CWSP droplet interaction with heated air flow. Experimental results are of interest for the development of combustion technology of promising fuel for thermal power engineering.

Experimental Investigation of Augmented Spark Ignition of a LO2/LCH4 Reaction Control Engine at Altitude Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhenz, Julie; Sarmiento, Charles; Marshall, William

2012-01-01

The use of nontoxic propellants in future exploration vehicles would enable safer, more cost-effective mission scenarios. One promising green alternative to existing hypergols is liquid methane (LCH4) with liquid oxygen (LO2). A 100 lbf LO2/LCH4 engine was developed under the NASA Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development project and tested at the NASA Glenn Research Center Altitude Combustion Stand in a low pressure environment. High ignition energy is a perceived drawback of this propellant combination; so this ignition margin test program examined ignition performance versus delivered spark energy. Sensitivity of ignition to spark timing and repetition rate was also explored. Three different exciter units were used with the engine s augmented (torch) igniter. Captured waveforms indicated spark behavior in hot fire conditions was inconsistent compared to the well-behaved dry sparks. This suggests that rising pressure and flow rate increase spark impedance and may at some point compromise an exciter s ability to complete each spark. The reduced spark energies of such quenched deliveries resulted in more erratic ignitions, decreasing ignition probability. The timing of the sparks relative to the pressure/flow conditions also impacted the probability of ignition. Sparks occurring early in the flow could trigger ignition with energies as low as 1 to 6 mJ, though multiple, similarly timed sparks of 55 to 75 mJ were required for reliable ignition. Delayed spark application and reduced spark repetition rate both correlated with late and occasional failed ignitions. An optimum time interval for spark application and ignition therefore coincides with propellant introduction to the igniter.

Preparation and Reactivity of Gasless Nanostructured Energetic Materials

PubMed Central

Manukyan, Khachatur V.; Shuck, Christopher E.; Rogachev, Alexander S.; Mukasyan, Alexander S.

2015-01-01

High-Energy Ball Milling (HEBM) is a ball milling process where a powder mixture placed in the ball mill is subjected to high-energy collisions from the balls. Among other applications, it is a versatile technique that allows for effective preparation of gasless reactive nanostructured materials with high energy density per volume (Ni+Al, Ta+C, Ti+C). The structural transformations of reactive media, which take place during HEBM, define the reaction mechanism in the produced energetic composites. Varying the processing conditions permits fine tuning of the milling-induced microstructures of the fabricated composite particles. In turn, the reactivity, i.e., self-ignition temperature, ignition delay time, as well as reaction kinetics, of high energy density materials depends on its microstructure. Analysis of the milling-induced microstructures suggests that the formation of fresh oxygen-free intimate high surface area contacts between the reagents is responsible for the enhancement of their reactivity. This manifests itself in a reduction of ignition temperature and delay time, an increased rate of chemical reaction, and an overall decrease of the effective activation energy of the reaction. The protocol provides a detailed description for the preparation of reactive nanocomposites with tailored microstructure using short-term HEBM method. It also describes a high-speed thermal imaging technique to determine the ignition/combustion characteristics of the energetic materials. The protocol can be adapted to preparation and characterization of a variety of nanostructured energetic composites. PMID:25868065

Fundamental ignition study for material fire safety improvement, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paciorek, K. L.; Zung, L. B.

1970-01-01

The investigation of preignition, ignition, and combustion characteristics of Delrin (acetate terminated polyformaldehyde) and Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) resins in air and oxygen are presented. The determination of ignition limits and their dependence on temperature and the oxidizing media, as well as the analyses of the volatiles produced, were studied. Tests were conducted in argon, an inert medium in which only purely pyrolytic reactions can take place, using the stagnation burner arrangement designed and constructed for this purpose. A theoretical treatment of the ignition and combination phenomena was devised. In the case of Delrin the ignition and ignition delays are apparently independent of the gas (air, oxygen) temperatures. The results indicate that hydrogen is the ignition triggering agent. Teflon ignition limits were established in oxygen only.

Effect of Pressure on Piloted Ignition Delay of PMMA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McAllister, Sara; Lai, Janice; Scott, Sarah; Ramirez-Correa, Amelia; Fernandez-Pello, Carlos; Urban, David; Ruff, Gary

2008-01-01

In order to reduce the risk of decompression sickness associated with spacewalks, NASA is considering designing the next generation of exploration vehicles and habitats with a different cabin environment than used previously. The proposed environment uses a total cabin pressure of 52.7 to 58.6 kPa with an oxygen concentration of 30 to 34% by volume and was chosen with material flammability in mind. Because materials may burn differently under these conditions and there is little information on how this new environment affects the flammability of the materials onboard, it is important to conduct material flammability experiments at the intended exploration atmosphere. One method to evaluate material flammability is by its ease of ignition. To this end, piloted ignition delay tests were conducted in the Forced Ignition and Spread Test (FIST) apparatus subject to this new environment. In these tests, polymethylmethacylate (PMMA) was exposed to a range of oxidizer flow velocities and externally applied heat fluxes. The ultimate goal is to determine the individual effect of pressure and the combined effect of pressure and oxygen concentration on the ignition delay. Tests were conducted for a baseline case of normal pressure and oxygen concentration, low pressure (58.6 kPa) with normal oxygen (21%). Future work will focus on low pressure with 32% oxygen concentration (space exploration atmosphere - SEA) conditions. It was found that reducing the pressure while keeping the oxygen concentration at 21% reduced the ignition time by 17% on average. It was also noted that the critical heat flux for ignition decreases in low-pressure conditions. Because tests conducted in standard atmospheric conditions will underpredict the flammability of materials intended for use on spacecraft, fire safety onboard at exploration atmospheres may be compromised.

Autoignition of hydrogen in shear flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalbhor, Abhijit; Chaudhuri, Swetaprovo; Chitilappilly, Lazar

2018-05-01

In this paper, we compare the autoignition characteristics of laminar, nitrogen-diluted hydrogen jets in two different oxidizer flow configurations: (a) co-flowing heated air and (b) wake of heated air, using two-dimensional numerical simulations coupled with detailed chemical kinetics. In both cases, autoignition is observed to initiate at locations with low scalar dissipation rates and high HO2 depletion rates. It is found that the induction stage prior to autoignition is primarily dominated by chemical kinetics and diffusion while the improved scalar mixing imparted by the large-scale flow structures controls the ignition progress in later stages. We further investigate the ignition transience and its connection with mixing by varying the initial wake conditions and fuel jet to oxidizer velocity ratios. These studies reveal that the autoignition delay times are independent of initial wake flow conditions. However, with increased jet velocity ratios, the later stages of ignition are accelerated, mainly due to enhanced mixing facilitated by the higher scalar dissipation rates. Furthermore, the sensitivity studies for the jet in wake configuration show a significant reduction in ignition delay even for about 0.14% (by volume) hydrogen dilution in the oxidizer. In addition, the detailed autoignition chemistry and the relative roles of certain radical species in the initiation of the autoignition process in these non-premixed jets are investigated by tracking the evolution of important chain reactions using a Lagrangian particle tracking approach. The reaction H2 + O2 ↔ HO2 + H is recognized to be the dominant chain initiation reaction that provides H radicals essential for the progress of subsequent elementary reactions during the pre-ignition stage.

Spray ignition measurements in a constant volume combustion vessel under engine-relevant conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh, Varun

Pressure-based and optical diagnostics for ignition delay (ID) measurement of a diesel spray from a multi-hole nozzle were investigated in a constant volume combustion vessel (CVCV) at conditions similar to those in a conventional diesel engine at the start of injection (SOI). It was first hypothesized that compared to an engine, the shorter ID in a CVCV was caused by NO, a byproduct of premixed combustion. The presence of a significant concentration of NO+NO2 was confirmed experimentally and by using a multi-zone model of premixed combustion. Experiments measuring the effect of NO on ID were performed at conditions relevant to a conventional diesel engine. Depending on the temperature regime and the nature of the fuel, NO addition was found to advance or retard ignition. Constant volume ignition simulations were capable of describing the observed trends; the magnitudes were different due to the physical processes involved in spray ignition, not modeled in the current study. The results of the study showed that ID is sensitive to low NO concentrations (<100 PPM) in the low-temperature regime. A second source of uncertainty in pressure-based ID measurement is the systematic error associated with the correction used to account for the speed of sound. Simultaneous measurements of volumetric OH chemiluminescence (OHC) and pressure during spray ignition found the OHC to closely resemble the pressure-based heat release rate for the full combustion duration. The start of OHC was always found to be shorter than the pressure-based ID for all fuels and conditions tested by 100 ms. Experiments were also conducted measuring the location and timing of high-temperature ignition and the steady-state lift-off length by high-speed imaging of OHC during spray ignition. The delay period calculated using the measured ignition location and the bulk average speed of sound was in agreement with the delay between OHC and the pressure-based ID. Results of the study show that start of OHC is coupled to detectable heat release and the two measurements are correlated by the time required for the pressure wave to propagate at the speed of sound between the ignition site and the transducer.

Burner ignition system

DOEpatents

Carignan, Forest J.

1986-01-21

An electronic ignition system for a gas burner is battery operated. The battery voltage is applied through a DC-DC chopper to a step-up transformer to charge a capacitor which provides the ignition spark. The step-up transformer has a significant leakage reactance in order to limit current flow from the battery during initial charging of the capacitor. A tank circuit at the input of the transformer returns magnetizing current resulting from the leakage reactance to the primary in succeeding cycles. An SCR in the output circuit is gated through a voltage divider which senses current flow through a flame. Once the flame is sensed, further sparks are precluded. The same flame sensor enables a thermopile driven main valve actuating circuit. A safety valve in series with the main gas valve responds to a control pressure thermostatically applied through a diaphragm. The valve closes after a predetermined delay determined by a time delay orifice if the pilot gas is not ignited.

Effect of Boron Clusters on the Ignition Reaction of HNO3 and Dicynanamide-Based Ionic Liquids.

PubMed

Schmidt, Michael W; Gordon, Mark S

2017-10-19

Many ionic liquids containing the dicynamide anion (DCA - , formula N(CN) 2 - ) exhibit hypergolic ignition when exposed to the common oxidizer nitric acid. However, the ignition delay is often about 10 times longer than the desired 5 ms for rocket applications, so that improvements are desired. Experiments in the past decade have suggested both a mechanism for the early reaction steps and also that additives such as decaborane can reduce the ignition delay. The mechanisms for reactions of nitric acid with both DCA - and protonated DCAH are considered here, using accurate wave function methods. Complexation of DCA - or DCAH with borane clusters B 10 H 14 or B 9 H 14 - is found to modify these mechanisms slightly by changing the nature of some of the intermediate saddle points and by small reductions in the reaction barriers.

Delayed ignition and propulsion of catalytic microrockets based on fuel-induced chemical dealloying of the inner alloy layer.

PubMed

Jodra, Adrián; Soto, Fernando; Lopez-Ramirez, Miguel Angel; Escarpa, Alberto; Wang, Joseph

2016-09-27

The delayed ignition and propulsion of catalytic tubular microrockets based on fuel-induced chemical dealloying of an inner alloy layer is demonstrated. Such timed delay motor activation process relies on the preferential gradual corrosion of Cu from the inner Pt-Cu alloy layer by the peroxide fuel. The dealloying process exposes the catalytically active Pt surface to the chemical fuel, thus igniting the microrockets propulsion autonomously without external stimuli. The delayed motor activation relies solely on the intrinsic material properties of the micromotor and the surrounding solution. The motor activation time can thus be tailored by controlling the composition of the Cu-Pt alloy layer and the surrounding media, including the fuel and NaCl concentrations and local pH. Speed acceleration in a given fuel solution is also demonstrated and reflects the continuous exposure of the Pt surface. The versatile "blastoff" control of these chemical microrockets holds considerable promise for designing self-regulated chemically-powered nanomachines with a "built-in" activation mechanism for diverse tasks.

Model predictions of higher-order normal alkane ignition from dilute shock-tube experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rotavera, B.; Petersen, E. L.

2013-07-01

Shock-induced oxidation of two higher-order linear alkanes was measured using a heated shock tube facility. Experimental overlap in stoichiometric ignition delay times obtained under dilute (99 % Ar) conditions near atmospheric pressure was observed in the temperature-dependent ignition trends of n-nonane ( n-C9H20) and n-undecane ( n-C11H24). Despite the overlap, model predictions of ignition using two different detailed chemical kinetics mechanisms show discrepancies relative to both the measured data as well as to one another. The present study therefore focuses on the differences observed in the modeled, high-temperature ignition delay times of higher-order n-alkanes, which are generally regarded to have identical ignition behavior for carbon numbers above C7. Comparisons are drawn using experimental data from the present study and from recent work by the authors relative to two existing chemical kinetics mechanisms. Time histories from the shock-tube OH* measurements are also compared to the model predictions; a double-peaked structure observed in the data shows that the time response of the detector electronics is crucial for properly capturing the first, incipient peak near time zero. Calculations using the two mechanisms were carried out at the dilution level employed in the shock-tube experiments for lean {({φ} = 0.5)}, stoichiometric, and rich {({φ} = 2.0)} equivalence ratios, 1230-1620 K, and for both 1.5 and 10 atm. In general, the models show differing trends relative to both measured data and to one another, indicating that agreement among chemical kinetics models for higher-order n-alkanes is not consistent. For example, under certain conditions, one mechanism predicts the ignition delay times to be virtually identical between the n-nonane and n-undecane fuels (in fact, also for all alkanes between at least C8 and C12), which is in agreement with the experiment, while the other mechanism predicts the larger fuels to ignite progressively more slowly.

An experimental study of the autoignition characteristics of conventional jet fuel/oxidizer mixtures: Jet-A and JP-8

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Kamal; Sung, Chih-Jen

2010-04-15

Ignition delay times of Jet-A/oxidizer and JP-8/oxidizer mixtures are measured using a heated rapid compression machine at compressed charge pressures corresponding to 7, 15, and 30 bar, compressed temperatures ranging from 650 to 1100 K, and equivalence ratios varying from 0.42 to 2.26. When using air as the oxidant, two oxidizer-to-fuel mass ratios of 13 and 19 are investigated. To achieve higher compressed temperatures for fuel lean mixtures (equivalence ratio of {proportional_to}0.42), argon dilution is also used and the corresponding oxidizer-to-fuel mass ratio is 84.9. For the conditions studied, experimental results show two-stage ignition characteristics for both Jet-A and JP-8.more » Variations of both the first-stage and overall ignition delays with compressed temperature, compressed pressure, and equivalence ratio are reported and correlated. It is noted that the negative temperature coefficient phenomenon becomes more prominent at relatively lower pressures. Furthermore, the first-stage-ignition delay is found to be less sensitive to changes in equivalence ratio and primarily dependent on temperature. (author)« less

An Application Of High-Speed Photography To The Real Ignition Course Of Composite Propellants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fusheng, Zhang; Gongshan, Cheng; Yong, Zhang; Fengchun, Li; Fanpei, Lei

1989-06-01

That the actual solid rocket motor behavior and delay time of the ignition of Ap/HTPB composite propellant ignited by high energy pyrotechics contained condensed particles have been investigated is the key of this paper. In experiments, using high speed camera, the pressure transducer, the photodiode and synchro circuit control system designed by us synchronistically observe and record all course and details of the ignition. And pressure signal, photodiode signal and high speed photography frame are corresponded one by one.

Low-Power Laser Ignition of Aluminum/Metal Oxide Nanothermites

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

ignition energy needed for a specific thermite reaction. Low ignition delays (less than 15 ms) were obtained at approximately 300 mW laser power output for...both Al/MoO3 and Al/Bi2O3 thermites . Finally, a forward-looking infrared camera was used to estimate the ignition and burning temperatures of the Al...context would also be beneficial as a substitute for the various formulations containing lead or other toxic substances. In a thermite type reaction, a

Experimental study of the form of "hot" steel particles on the ignition characteristics of liquid fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharevich, Arkadiy V.

2015-01-01

The results of an experimental study of laws governing the ignition of liquid propellants (kerosene, diesel fuel and petroleum residue) by the single spherical steel particle heated to high temperatures are presented. Is carried out the comparison of the ignition delay times of the investigated flammable substances by the particles in the sphere and disk forms. It is established that the particle shape does not exert a substantial influence on the ignition process characteristics.

Controlled Emissivity Coatings to Delay Ignition of Polyethylene.

PubMed

Sonnier, Rodolphe; Ferry, Laurent; Gallard, Benjamin; Boudenne, Abderrahim; Lavaud, François

2015-10-12

Semi-opaque to opaque films containing small amounts of various aluminium particles to decrease emissivity were easily prepared and coated onto low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets. The thermal-radiative properties (reflectivity, transmissivity and absorptivity) of the films were measured and related to the aluminum particles' content, size and nature. Time-to-ignition of samples was assessed using a cone calorimeter at different heat flux values (35, 50 and 75 kW/m²). The coatings allowed significant ignition delay and, in some cases, changed the material behaviour from thermally thin to thick behaviour. These effects are related both to their emissivity and transmissivity. A lower emissivity, which decreases during the degradation, and a lower transmissivity are the key points to ensure an optimal reaction-to-fire.

Explosion bomb measurements of ethanol-air laminar gaseous flame characteristics at pressures up to 1.4 MPa

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bradley, D.; Lawes, M.; Mansour, M.S.

2009-07-15

The principal burning characteristics of a laminar flame comprise the fuel vapour pressure, the laminar burning velocity, ignition delay times, Markstein numbers for strain rate and curvature, the stretch rates for the onset of flame instabilities and of flame extinction for different mixtures. With the exception of ignition delay times, measurements of these are reported and discussed for ethanol-air mixtures. The measurements were in a spherical explosion bomb, with central ignition, in the regime of a developed stable, flame between that of an under or over-driven ignition and that of an unstable flame. Pressures ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 MPa,more » temperatures from 300 to 393 K, and equivalence ratios were between 0.7 and 1.5. It was important to ensure the relatively large volume of ethanol in rich mixtures at high pressures was fully evaporated. The maximum pressure for the measurements was the highest compatible with the maximum safe working pressure of the bomb. Many of the flames soon became unstable, due to Darrieus-Landau and thermo-diffusive instabilities. This effect increased with pressure and the flame wrinkling arising from the instabilities enhanced the flame speed. Both the critical Peclet number and the, more rational, associated critical Karlovitz stretch factor were evaluated at the onset of the instability. With increasing pressure, the onset of flame instability occurred earlier. The measured values of burning velocity are expressed in terms of their variations with temperature and pressure, and these are compared with those obtained by other researchers. Some comparisons are made with the corresponding properties for iso-octane-air mixtures. (author)« less

Hydrogen-fueled diesel engine without timed ignition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homan, H. S.; De Boer, P. C. T.; Mclean, W. J.; Reynolds, R. K.

1979-01-01

Experiments were carried out to investigate the feasibility of converting a diesel engine to hydrogen-fueled operation without providing a timed ignition system. Use was made of a glow plug and a multiple-strike spark plug. The glow plug was found to provide reliable ignition and smooth engine operation. It caused the hydrogen to ignite almost immediately upon the start of injection. Indicated mean effective pressures were on the order of 1.3 MPa for equivalence ratios between 0.1 and 0.4 at a compression ratio of 18. This is significantly higher than the corresponding result obtained with diesel oil (about 0.6 MPa for equivalence ratios between 0.3 and 0.9). Indicated thermal efficiencies were on the order of 0.4 for hydrogen and 0.20-0.25 for diesel oil. Operation with the multiple-strike spark system yielded similar values for IMEP and efficiency, but gave rise to large cycle-to-cycle variations in the delay between the beginning of injection and ignition. Large ignition delays were associated with large amplitude pressure waves in the combustion chamber. The measured NO(x) concentrations in the exhaust gas were of the order of 50-100 ppm. This is significantly higher than the corresponding results obtained with premixed hydrogen and air at low equivalence ratios. Compression ignition could not be achieved even at a compression ratio of 29.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Kamal; Zhang, Yu; Sung, Chi -Jen

We study the influence of blending n-butanol on the ignition delay times of n-heptane and iso-octane, the primary reference fuels for gasoline. The ignition delay times are measured using a rapid compression machine, with an emphasis on the low-to-intermediate temperature conditions. The experiments are conducted at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.0, for a compressed pressure of 20 bar, with the temperatures at the end of compression ranging from 613 K to 979 K. The effect of n-butanol addition on the development of the two-stage ignition characteristics for the two primary reference fuels is also examined. The experimental results aremore » compared to predictions obtained using a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism, which has been obtained by a systematic merger of previously reported base models for the combustion of the individual fuel constituents. In conclusion, a sensitivity analysis on the base, and the merged models, is also performed to understand the dependence of autoignition delay times on the model parameters.« less

Detecting fiducials affected by trombone delay in ARC and the main laser alignment at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awwal, Abdul A. S.; Bliss, Erlan S.; Miller Kamm, Victoria; Leach, Richard R.; Roberts, Randy; Rushford, Michael C.; Lowe-Webb, Roger; Wilhelmsen, Karl

2015-09-01

Four of the 192 beams of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are currently being diverted into the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) system to generate a sequence of short (1-50 picoseconds) 1053 nm laser pulses. When focused onto high Z wires in vacuum, these pulses create high energy x-ray pulses capable of penetrating the dense, imploding fusion fuel plasma during ignition scale experiments. The transmitted x-rays imaged with x-ray diagnostics can create movie radiographs that are expected to provide unprecedented insight into the implosion dynamics. The resulting images will serve as a diagnostic for tuning the experimental parameters towards successful fusion reactions. Beam delays introduced into the ARC pulses via independent, free-space optical trombones create the desired x-ray image sequence, or movie. However, these beam delays cause optical distortion of various alignment fiducials viewed by alignment sensors in the NIF and ARC beamlines. This work describes how the position of circular alignment fiducials is estimated in the presence of distortion.

Thermite combustion enhancement resulting from biomodal luminum distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moore, K. M.; Pantoya, M.; Son, S. F.

2004-01-01

In recent years many studies that incorporated nano-scale or ultrafine aluminum (Al) as part of an energetic formulation and demonstrated significant performance enhancement. Decreasing the fuel particle size from the micron to nanometer range alters the material's chemical and thermal-physical properties. The result is increased particle reactivity that translates to an increase in the combustion wave speed and ignition sensitivity. Little is known, however, about the critical level of nano-sized fuel particles needed to enhance the performance of the energetic composite. Ignition sensitivity and combustion wave speed experiments were performed using a thermite composite of Al and MoO{sub 3} pressedmore » to a theoretical maximum density of 50% (2 g/cm{sup 3}). A bimodal Al particle size distribution was prepared using 4 or 20 {mu}m Al fuel particles that were replaced in 10% increments by 80 nm Al particles until the fuel was 100% 80 nm Al. These bimodal distributions allow the unique characteristics of nano-scale materials to be better understood. The pellets were ignited using a 50W CO{sub 2} laser. High speed imaging diagnostics were used to measure the ignition delay time and combustion wave speed.« less

Development of Ionic Liquid Monopropellants for In-Space Propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blevins, John A.; Osborne, Robin; Drake, Gregory W.

2005-01-01

A family of new, low toxicity, high energy monopropellants is currently being evaluated at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for in-space rocket engine applications such as reaction control engines. These ionic liquid monopropellants, developed in recent years by the Air Force Research Laboratory, could offer system simplification, less in-flight thermal management, and reduced handling precautions, while increasing propellant energy density as compared to traditional storable in-space propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. However, challenges exist in identifying ignition schemes for these ionic liquid monopropellants, which are known to burn at much hotter combustion temperatures compared to traditional monopropellants such as hydrazine. The high temperature combustion of these new monopropellants make the use of typical ignition catalyst beds prohibitive since the catalyst cannot withstand the elevated temperatures. Current research efforts are focused on monopropellant ignition and burn rate characterization, parameters that are important in the fundamental understanding of the monopropellant behavior and the eventual design of a thruster. Laboratory studies will be conducted using alternative ignition techniques such as laser-induced spark ignition and hot wire ignition. Ignition delay, defined as the time between the introduction of the ignition source and the first sign of light emission from a developing flame kernel, will be measured using Schlieren visualization. An optically-accessible liquid monopropellant burner will be used to determine propellant burn rate as a function of pressure and initial propellant temperature. The burn rate will be measured via high speed imaging through the chamber s windows.

Shock tube studies of thermal radiation of diesel-spray combustion under a range of spray conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuboi, T.; Kurihara, Y.; Takasaki, M.; Katoh, R.; Ishii, K.

2007-05-01

A tailored interface shock tube and an over-tailored interface shock tube were used to measure the thermal energy radiated during diesel-spray combustion of light oil, α-methylnaphthalene and cetane by changing the injection pressure. The ignition delay of methanol and the thermal radiation were also measured. Experiments were performed in a steel shock tube with a 7 m low-pressure section filled with air and a 6 m high-pressure section. Pre-compressed fuel was injected through a throttle nozzle into air behind a reflected shock wave. Monochromatic emissive power and the power emitted across all infrared wavelengths were measured with IR-detectors set along the central axis of the tube. Time-dependent radii where soot particles radiated were also determined, and the results were as follows. For diesel spray combustion with high injection pressures (from 10 to 80 MPa), the thermal radiation energy of light oil per injection increased with injection pressure from 10 to 30 MPa. The energy was about 2% of the heat of combustion of light oil at P inj = about 30 MPa. At injection pressure above 30 MPa the thermal radiation decreased with increasing injection pressure. This profile agreed well with the combustion duration, the flame length, the maximum amount of soot in the flame, the time-integrated soot volume and the time-integrated flame volume. The ignition delay of light oil was observed to decrease monotonically with increasing fuel injection pressure. For diesel spray combustion of methanol, the thermal radiation including that due to the gas phase was 1% of the combustion heat at maximum, and usually lower than 1%. The thermal radiation due to soot was lower than 0.05% of the combustion heat. The ignition delays were larger (about 50%) than those of light oil. However, these differences were within experimental error.

Ignition delays, heats of combustion, and reaction rates of aluminum alkyl derivatives used as ignition and combustion enhancers for supersonic combustors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, T. W., III; Harlowe, W. W.; Schwab, S.

1992-01-01

The work was based on adapting an apparatus and procedure developed at Southwest Research Institute for rating the ignition quality of fuels for diesel engines. Aluminum alkyls and various Lewis-base adducts of these materials, both neat and mixed 50/50 with pure JP-10 hydrocarbon, were injected into the combustion bomb using a high-pressure injection system. The bomb was pre-charged with air that was set at various initial temperatures and pressures for constant oxygen density. The ignition delay times were determined for the test materials at these different initial conditions. The data are presented in absolute terms as well as comparisons with the parent alkyls. The relative heats of reaction of the various test materials were estimated based on a computation of the heat release, using the pressure data recorded during combustion in the bomb. In addition, the global reaction rates for each material were compared at a selected tmperature and pressure.

Scaling relation for high-temperature biodiesel surrogate ignition delay times

DOE PAGES

Campbell, Matthew F.; Davidson, David F.; Hanson, Ronald K.

2015-10-11

High-temperature Arrhenius ignition delay time correlations are useful for revealing the underlying parameter dependencies of combustion models, for simplifying and optimizing combustion mechanisms for use in engine simulations, for scaling experimental data to new conditions for comparison purposes, and for guiding in experimental design. Here, we have developed a scaling relationship for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) ignition time data taken at high temperatures in 4%O 2/Ar mixtures behind reflected shocks using an aerosol shock tube: τ ign [ms] = 2.24 x 10 -6 [ms] (P [atm]) -.41 (more » $$\\phi$$) 0.30(C n) -.61 x exp $$ \\left(\\frac{37.1 [kcal/mol]}{\\hat{R}_u [kcal / mol K] T [K]}\\right) $$ In addition, we have combined our ignition delay time data for methyl decanoate, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate with other experimental results in the literature in order to derive fuel-specific oxygen-mole-fraction scaling parameters for these surrogates. In conclusion, in this article, we discuss the significance of the parameter values, compare our correlation to others found in the literature for different classes of fuels, and contrast the above expression’s performance with correlations obtained using leading FAME kinetic models in 4%O 2/Ar mixtures.« less

Controlled Emissivity Coatings to Delay Ignition of Polyethylene

PubMed Central

Sonnier, Rodolphe; Ferry, Laurent; Gallard, Benjamin; Boudenne, Abderrahim; Lavaud, François

2015-01-01

Semi-opaque to opaque films containing small amounts of various aluminium particles to decrease emissivity were easily prepared and coated onto low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets. The thermal-radiative properties (reflectivity, transmissivity and absorptivity) of the films were measured and related to the aluminum particles’ content, size and nature. Time-to-ignition of samples was assessed using a cone calorimeter at different heat flux values (35, 50 and 75 kW/m2). The coatings allowed significant ignition delay and, in some cases, changed the material behaviour from thermally thin to thick behaviour. These effects are related both to their emissivity and transmissivity. A lower emissivity, which decreases during the degradation, and a lower transmissivity are the key points to ensure an optimal reaction-to-fire. PMID:28793609

Numerical Analysis of the Interaction between Thermo-Fluid Dynamics and Auto-Ignition Reaction in Spark Ignition Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saijyo, Katsuya; Nishiwaki, Kazuie; Yoshihara, Yoshinobu

The CFD simulations were performed integrating the low-temperature oxidation reaction. Analyses were made with respect to the first auto-ignition location in the case of a premixed-charge compression auto-ignition in a laminar flow field and in the case of the auto-ignition in an end gas during an S. I. Engine combustion process. In the latter simulation, the spatially-filtered transport equations were solved to express fluctuating temperatures in a turbulent flow in consideration of strong non-linearity to temperature in the reaction equations. It is suggested that the first auto-ignition location does not always occur at higher-temperature locations and that the difference in the locations of the first auto-ignition depends on the time period during which the local end gas temperature passes through the region of shorter ignition delay, including the NTC region.

Liquid and gelled sprays for mixing hypergolic propellants using an impinging jet injection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, Mark D.

The characteristics of sprays produced by liquid rocket injectors are important in understanding rocket engine ignition and performance. The includes, but is not limited to, drop size distribution, spray density, drop velocity, oscillations in the spray, uniformity of mixing between propellants, and the spatial distribution of drops. Hypergolic ignition and the associated ignition delay times are also important features in rocket engines, providing high reliability and simplicity of the ignition event. The ignition delay time is closely related to the level and speed of mixing between a hypergolic fuel and oxidizer, which makes the injection method and conditions crucial in determining the ignition performance. Although mixing and ignition of liquid hypergolic propellants has been studied for many years, the processes for injection, mixing, and ignition of gelled hypergolic propellants are less understood. Gelled propellants are currently under investigation for use in rocket injectors to combine the advantages of solid and liquid propellants, although not without their own difficulties. A review of hypergolic ignition has been conducted for selected propellants, and methods for achieving ignition have been established. This research is focused on ignition using the liquid drop-on-drop method, as well as the doublet impinging jet injector. The events leading up to ignition, known as pre-ignition stage are discussed. An understanding of desirable ignition and combustion performance requires a study of the effects of injection, temperature, and ambient pressure conditions. A review of unlike-doublet impinging jet injection mixing has also been conducted. This includes mixing factors in reactive and non-reactive sprays. Important mixing factors include jet momentum, jet diameter and length, impingement angle, mass distribution, and injector configuration. An impinging jet injection system is presented using an electro-mechanically driven piston for injecting liquid and gelled hypergolic propellants. A calibration of the system is done with water in preparation for hypergolic injection, and characteristics of individual water and gelled JP-8 jets are studied at velocities in the range of 3 ft/s to 61 ft/s. The piston response is also analyzed to characterize the startup and steady state liquid jet velocities using orifices of 0.02" in diameter. Using this injection system, water and gelled JP-8 sprays are formed and compared across injection velocities of 30 ft/s to 121 ft/s. The comparison includes sheet shape and disintegration, total number of drops, drop size distributions, drop eccentricity, most populated drop bin size, and mean drop sizes. A test matrix for investigating the effects of mixing on ignition of MMH and IRFNA through different injection conditions are presented. First, water and IRFNA are injected to create a spray in the combustion chamber in order to verify effectiveness of test procedures and the test hardware. Next, injection of the hypergolic propellants MMH and IRFNA are done in accordance to the test matrix, although ignition was not observed as expected. These injections are followed by simple drop-on-drop tests to investigate propellant quality and ignition delay. Drop tests are performed with propellants IRFNA/MMH, and again with H2O2/Block 0 as possible propellant replacements for the proposed test plan.

Dropping the hammer: Examining impact ignition and combustion using pre-stressed aluminum powder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, Kevin J.; Warzywoda, Juliusz; Pantoya, Michelle L.; Levitas, Valery I.

2017-09-01

Pre-stressing aluminum (Al) particles by annealing and quenching Al powder alters particle mechanical properties and has also been linked to an increase in particle reactivity. Specifically, energy propagation in composites consisting of aluminum mixed with copper oxide (Al + CuO) exhibits a 24% increase in flame speed when using pre-stressed aluminum (PS Al) compared to Al of the same particle size. However, no data exist for the reactivity of PS Al powders under impact loading. In this study, a drop weight impact tester with pressure cell was designed and built to examine impact ignition sensitivity and combustion of PS Al when mixed with CuO. Both micron and nanometer scale powders (i.e., μAl and nAl, respectively) were pre-stressed, then combined with CuO and analyzed. Three types of ignition and combustion events were identified: ignition with complete combustion, ignition with incomplete combustion, and no ignition or combustion. The PS nAl + CuO demonstrated a lower impact ignition energy threshold for complete combustion, differing from nAl + CuO samples by more than 3.5 J/mg. The PS nAl + CuO also demonstrated significantly more complete combustion as evidenced by pressure history data during ignition and combustion. Additional material characterization provides insight on hot spot formation in the incomplete combustion samples. The most probable reasons for higher impact-induced reactivity of pre-stressed particles include (a) delayed but more intense fracture of the pre-stressed alumina shell due to release of energy of internal stresses during fracture and (b) detachment of the shell from the core during impact due to high tensile stresses in the Al core leading to much more pronounced fracture of unsupported shells and easy access of oxygen to the Al core. The μAl + CuO composites did not ignite, even under pre-stressed conditions.

Investigation of Iso-octane Ignition and Validation of a Multizone Modeling Method in an Ignition Quality Tester

DOE PAGES

Osecky, Eric M.; Bogin, Gregory E.; Villano, Stephanie M.; ...

2016-08-18

An ignition quality tester was used to characterize the autoignition delay times of iso-octane. The experimental data were characterized between temperatures of 653 and 996 K, pressures of 1.0 and 1.5 MPa, and global equivalence ratios of 0.7 and 1.05. A clear negative temperature coefficient behavior was seen at both pressures in the experimental data. These data were used to characterize the effectiveness of three modeling methods: a single-zone homogeneous batch reactor, a multizone engine model, and a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A detailed 874 species iso-octane ignition mechanism (Mehl, M.; Curran, H. J.; Pitz, W. J.; Westbrook,more » C. K.Chemical kinetic modeling of component mixtures relevant to gasoline. Proceedings of the European Combustion Meeting; Vienna, Austria, April 14-17, 2009) was reduced to 89 species for use in these models, and the predictions of the reduced mechanism were consistent with ignition delay times predicted by the detailed chemical mechanism across a broad range of temperatures, pressures, and equivalence ratios. The CFD model was also run without chemistry to characterize the extent of mixing of fuel and air in the chamber. The calculations predicted that the main part of the combustion chamber was fairly well-mixed at longer times (> ~30 ms), suggesting that the simpler models might be applicable in this quasi-homogeneous region. The multizone predictions, where the combustion chamber was divided into 20 zones of temperature and equivalence ratio, were quite close to the coupled CFD-kinetics results, but the calculation time was ~11 times faster than the coupled CFD-kinetics model. Although the coupled CFD-kinetics model captured the observed negative temperature coefficient behavior and pressure dependence, discrepancies remain between the predictions and the observed ignition time delays, suggesting improvements are still needed in the kinetic mechanism and/or the CFD model. This approach suggests a combined modeling approach, wherein the CFD calculations (without chemistry) can be used to examine the sensitivity of various model inputs to in-cylinder temperature and equivalence ratios. In conclusion, these values can be used as inputs to the multizone model to examine the impact on ignition delay. Additionally, the speed of the multizone model also makes it feasible to quickly test more detailed kinetic mechanisms for comparison to experimental data and sensitivity analysis.« less

Investigation of Iso-octane Ignition and Validation of a Multizone Modeling Method in an Ignition Quality Tester

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osecky, Eric M.; Bogin, Gregory E.; Villano, Stephanie M.

An ignition quality tester was used to characterize the autoignition delay times of iso-octane. The experimental data were characterized between temperatures of 653 and 996 K, pressures of 1.0 and 1.5 MPa, and global equivalence ratios of 0.7 and 1.05. A clear negative temperature coefficient behavior was seen at both pressures in the experimental data. These data were used to characterize the effectiveness of three modeling methods: a single-zone homogeneous batch reactor, a multizone engine model, and a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A detailed 874 species iso-octane ignition mechanism (Mehl, M.; Curran, H. J.; Pitz, W. J.; Westbrook,more » C. K.Chemical kinetic modeling of component mixtures relevant to gasoline. Proceedings of the European Combustion Meeting; Vienna, Austria, April 14-17, 2009) was reduced to 89 species for use in these models, and the predictions of the reduced mechanism were consistent with ignition delay times predicted by the detailed chemical mechanism across a broad range of temperatures, pressures, and equivalence ratios. The CFD model was also run without chemistry to characterize the extent of mixing of fuel and air in the chamber. The calculations predicted that the main part of the combustion chamber was fairly well-mixed at longer times (> ~30 ms), suggesting that the simpler models might be applicable in this quasi-homogeneous region. The multizone predictions, where the combustion chamber was divided into 20 zones of temperature and equivalence ratio, were quite close to the coupled CFD-kinetics results, but the calculation time was ~11 times faster than the coupled CFD-kinetics model. Although the coupled CFD-kinetics model captured the observed negative temperature coefficient behavior and pressure dependence, discrepancies remain between the predictions and the observed ignition time delays, suggesting improvements are still needed in the kinetic mechanism and/or the CFD model. This approach suggests a combined modeling approach, wherein the CFD calculations (without chemistry) can be used to examine the sensitivity of various model inputs to in-cylinder temperature and equivalence ratios. In conclusion, these values can be used as inputs to the multizone model to examine the impact on ignition delay. Additionally, the speed of the multizone model also makes it feasible to quickly test more detailed kinetic mechanisms for comparison to experimental data and sensitivity analysis.« less

Robust, Reliable Low Emission Gas Turbine Combustion of High Hydrogen Content Fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wooldridge, Margaret Stacy; Im, Hong Geum

2016-12-16

The effects of high hydrogen content fuels were studied using experimental, computational and theoretical approaches to understand the effects of mixture and state conditions on the ignition behavior of the fuels. A rapid compression facility (RCF) was used to measure the ignition delay time of hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixtures. The data were combined with results of previous studies to develop ignition regime criteria. Analytical theory and direct numerical simulation were used to validate and interpret the RCF ignition data. Based on the integrated information the ignition regime criteria were extended to non-dimensional metrics which enable application of the resultsmore » to practical gas turbine combustion systems.« less

Ignition of combustible fluids by heated surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Joseph Michael

The ignition of flammable fluids leaking onto hot machinery components is a common cause of fires and property loss to society. For example, the U.S. Air Force has over 100 engine fires per year. There is a comparable number in the civilian air fleet. Many of these fires are due to ruptured fuel, oil or hydraulic lines impinging on hot engine components. Also, over 500,000 vehicle fires occur each year on U.S. roads. Many of these are due to leaking fluids onto hot exhaust manifolds or other exhaust components. The design of fire protection systems for aircraft and road vehicles must take into account the problems of hot surface ignition as well as re-ignition that can occur once the fire is initially extinguished. The lack of understanding of ignition and re-ignition results in heavy, high-capacity fire extinguishers to address the fire threat. It is desired to better understand the mechanisms that control this phenomenon, and exploit this understanding in producing machinery designs that can mitigate this threat. The purpose of this effort is to gain a fundamental understanding of ignition by heated surfaces. This is done by performing experimental measurements on the impingement of vertical streams of combustible fluids onto horizontal heated surfaces, and then determine the mechanisms that control the process, in terms of physical, controllable parameters (such as fuel type, flow rate and surface temperature). An initial exhaustive review of the literature revealed a small sample of pertinent findings of previous investigators, focused on droplet ignition. Boiling modes present during contact with the heated surface were also shown to control evaporation rates and ignition delays, in addition to surface temperatures and fluid properties. An experimental apparatus was designed and constructed to create the scenario of interest in a controllable fashion, with a 20 cm horizontal heated plate with variable heating supply. Fuels were applied as streams ranging from 0.67 ml/sec to 9.5 ml/sec. Heptane, hexadecane, dodecane and kerosene were the fuels investigated in the study, and experiments were performed over a range of surface temperatures. Of the 388 fuel impingement experiments performed, 226 resulted in ignition events. Of these, 124 were classified as "airborne" ignitions, where spontaneous ignition occurred up to 60 cm above the surface. A model was derived as a predictor of ignition delays observed in these experiments, based upon a fuel evaporation rate-dominated process. This model, which utilized information derived from prior Nusselt number heat transfer correlations and simple plume models, exhibited a high degree of successful correlation with experimental data. This model was sufficiently robust to be applied to all the fuels studied, and all boiling modes (nucleate, transition and boiling) and flow rates. This facilitated a means of predicting ignition delay times based upon fundamental operating parameters of fuel type, flow rate and surface temperature, and assist in the design of fire-safe systems.

Influence of the microwave irradiation dewatering on the combustion characteristics of Chinese brown coals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Lichao; Feng, Hongcui; Xu, Chang; Zhang, Yanwei; Wang, Zhihua

2018-02-01

This study investigates the influence of microwave irradiation on coal composition, pore structure, coal rank, and combustion characteristics of typical brown coals in China. Results show that the upgrading process significantly decreased the inherent moisture, and increased calorific value and fixed carbon content. After upgrading, pore distribution extended to micropore region, oxygen functional groups were reduced and destroyed, and the apparent aromaticity increased suggesting an improvement in the coal rank. Based on thermogravimetric analysis, the combustion processes of upgraded coals were delayed toward the high temperature region, and the temperatures of ignition, peak and burnout increased. Based on the average combustion rate and comprehensive combustion parameter, the upgraded coals performed better compared with raw brown coals and a high rank coal. In ignition and burnout segments, the activation energy increased but exhibited a decrease in the combustion stage.

Ignition, Burning, and Extinction of a Strained Fuel Strip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Selerland, T.; Karagozian, A. R.

1996-01-01

Flame structure and ignition and extinction processes associated with a strained fuel strip are explored numerically using detailed transport and complex kinetics for a propane-air reaction. Ignition modes are identified that are similar to those predicted by one-step activation energy asymptotics, i.e., modes in which diffusion flames can ignite as independent or dependent interfaces, and modes in which single premixed or partially premixed flames ignite. These ignition modes are found to be dependent on critical combinations of strain rate, fuel strip thickness, and initial reactant temperatures. Extinction in this configuration is seen to occur due to fuel consumption by adjacent flames, although viscosity is seen to have the effect of delaying extinction by reducing the effective strain rate and velocity field experienced by the flames.

Autoignition response of n-butanol and its blend with primary reference fuel constituents of gasoline.

DOE PAGES

Kumar, Kamal; Zhang, Yu; Sung, Chi -Jen; ...

2015-04-13

We study the influence of blending n-butanol on the ignition delay times of n-heptane and iso-octane, the primary reference fuels for gasoline. The ignition delay times are measured using a rapid compression machine, with an emphasis on the low-to-intermediate temperature conditions. The experiments are conducted at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.0, for a compressed pressure of 20 bar, with the temperatures at the end of compression ranging from 613 K to 979 K. The effect of n-butanol addition on the development of the two-stage ignition characteristics for the two primary reference fuels is also examined. The experimental results aremore » compared to predictions obtained using a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism, which has been obtained by a systematic merger of previously reported base models for the combustion of the individual fuel constituents. In conclusion, a sensitivity analysis on the base, and the merged models, is also performed to understand the dependence of autoignition delay times on the model parameters.« less

Autoignition study of binary blends of n- dodecane/1-methylnaphthalene and iso- cetane/1-methylnaphthalene

DOE PAGES

Kukkadapu, Goutham; Sung, Chih-Jen

2017-11-24

An experimental study on autoignition of two binary blends, n-dodecane/1-methylnaphthalene and iso-cetane/1-methylnaphthalene, has been conducted using a rapid compression machine. Specifically, the ignition delays of the stoichiometric blend+air mixtures were measured at elevated pressures of P C = 15 bar and 30 bar, compressed temperatures of T C = 626–944 K, and varying blending ratios of the constituents. For a given set of P C and T C, a nonlinear response of the blend reactivity with respect to the relative amount of the constituents was observed. Since a comprehensive chemical kinetic model for the blends investigated here is under development,more » the current ignition delay datasets serve as the needed targets for model validation. For selected conditions, ignition delay simulations were conducted to highlight and discuss the deficiencies of the literature models and the potential areas for model improvements, especially at low temperatures. In conclusion, further chemical kinetic analyses were conducted to gain understanding of the blending behavior predicted by the available model.« less

Autoignition study of binary blends of n- dodecane/1-methylnaphthalene and iso- cetane/1-methylnaphthalene

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kukkadapu, Goutham; Sung, Chih-Jen

An experimental study on autoignition of two binary blends, n-dodecane/1-methylnaphthalene and iso-cetane/1-methylnaphthalene, has been conducted using a rapid compression machine. Specifically, the ignition delays of the stoichiometric blend+air mixtures were measured at elevated pressures of P C = 15 bar and 30 bar, compressed temperatures of T C = 626–944 K, and varying blending ratios of the constituents. For a given set of P C and T C, a nonlinear response of the blend reactivity with respect to the relative amount of the constituents was observed. Since a comprehensive chemical kinetic model for the blends investigated here is under development,more » the current ignition delay datasets serve as the needed targets for model validation. For selected conditions, ignition delay simulations were conducted to highlight and discuss the deficiencies of the literature models and the potential areas for model improvements, especially at low temperatures. In conclusion, further chemical kinetic analyses were conducted to gain understanding of the blending behavior predicted by the available model.« less

Development of Ionic Liquid Monopropellants for In-Space Propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blevins, John A.; Drake, Gregory W.; Osborne, Robin J.

2005-01-01

A family of new, low toxicity, high energy monopropellants is currently being evaluated at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for in-space rocket engine applications such as reaction control engines. These ionic liquid monopropellants, developed in recent years by the Air Force Research Laboratory, could offer system simplification, less in-flight thermal management, and reduced handling precautions, while increasing propellant energy density as compared to traditional storable in-space propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. However, challenges exist in identifying ignition schemes for these ionic liquid monopropellants, which are known to burn at much hotter combustion temperatures compared to traditional monopropellants such as hydrazine. The high temperature combustion of these new monopropellants make the use of typical ignition catalyst beds prohibitive since the catalyst cannot withstand the elevated temperatures. Current research efforts are focused on monopropellant ignition and burn rate characterization, parameters that are important in the fundamental understanding of the monopropellant behavior and the eventual design of a thruster. Laboratory studies will be conducted using alternative ignition techniques such as laser-induced spark ignition and hot wire ignition. Ignition delay, defined as the time between the introduction of the ignition source and the first sign of light emission from a developing flame kernel, will be measured using Schlieren visualization. An optically-accessible liquid monopropellant burner, shown schematically in Figure 1 and similar in design to apparatuses used by other researchers to study solid and liquid monopropellants, will be used to determine propellant burn rate as a function of pressure and initial propellant temperature. The burn rate will be measured via high speed imaging through the chamber s windows.

Combustion-wave ignition for rocket engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liou, Larry C.

1992-01-01

The combustion wave ignition concept was experimentally studied in order to verify its suitability for application in baffled sections of a large booster engine combustion chamber. Gaseous oxygen/gaseous methane (GOX/GH4) and gaseous oxygen/gaseous hydrogen (GOX/GH2) propellant combinations were evaluated in a subscale combustion wave ignition system. The system included four element tubes capable of carrying ignition energy simultaneously to four locations, simulating four baffled sections. Also, direct ignition of a simulated Main Combustion Chamber (MCC) was performed. Tests were conducted over a range of mixture ratios and tube geometries. Ignition was consistently attained over a wide range of mixture ratios. And at every ignition, the flame propagated through all four element tubes. For GOX/GH4, the ignition system ignited the MCC flow at mixture ratios from 2 to 10 and for GOX/GH2 the ratios is from 2 to 13. The ignition timing was found to be rapid and uniform. The total ignition delay when using the MCC was under 11 ms, with the tube-to-tube, as well as the run-to-run, variation under 1 ms. Tube geometries were found to have negligible effect on the ignition outcome and timing.

Fuel effects on flame lift-off under diesel conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Persson, Helena; Andersson, Oeivind; Egnell, Rolf

An apparent relation between the lift-off length under diesel conditions and the ignition quality of a fuel has previously been reported. To cast light on the underlying mechanism, the current study aims to separate flame lift-off effects of the chemical ignition delay from those of other fuel properties under diesel conditions. Flame lift-off was measured in an optical diesel engine by high-speed video imaging of OH-chemiluminescence. Fuel and ambient-gas properties were varied during the experiment. Only a weak correlation was found between ignition delay and lift-off length. The data indicate that this correlation is due to a common, stronger correlationmore » with the ambient oxygen concentration. The chemical ignition delay and the fuel type had similar, weak effects on the lift-off length. A recently proposed mechanism for lift-off stabilization was used to interpret the results. It assumes that reactants approaching the lift-off position of the jet are mixed with high-temperature products found along the edges of the flame, which trigger autoignition. In this picture, the fuel effect is most likely due to differences in the amount of mixing with high-temperature products that is required for autoignition. In the current experiment, all lift-off effects seem to arise from variations in the reactant and product temperatures, induced by fuel and ambient properties. (author)« less

Initiation characteristics of wedge-induced oblique detonation waves in turbulence flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Moyao; Miao, Shikun

2018-06-01

The initiation features of wedge-induced oblique detonation waves (ODWs) in supersonic turbulence flows are studied with numerical simulations based on the SST k-ω model. The results show that the ignition delays are smaller in turbulence flows which results in a decrease in the initiation lengths of ODWs, and the initiation length decreases with the increase of the turbulence intensity. The effects of turbulence on the initiation limits of ODWs are analyzed with the energetic limit and the kinetic limit. It is shown that the initiation limit is not affected by the energetic limit, but affected by the kinetic limit. Because the ignition delay decreases in a turbulence flow, the kinetic limit is more easily to be fulfilled. Therefore, the initiation limit decreases with the increase of the turbulence intensity, that is to say, ODWs in strongly turbulent flows are more easily to be initiated. Besides, the transition structures of ODWs are investigated and the results show that for the same inflow condition, transition structures of ODWs in strongly turbulent flows are smooth while it is abrupt in an inviscid or slightly turbulent flow, and the reasons are discussed.

Development of an Aerosol Loading Technique for Ignition Time Measurements in Shock Tubes

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

authors do not follow the 200 word limit 14. SUBJECT TERMS Aerosol Shock Tube, Ignition Delay Time, n -Dodecane, Aerosol 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION...time measurements of n -dodecane/O2/argon mixtures. These measurements are found to be consistent with those made in our heated shock tube facility. (a...Papers published in peer-reviewed journals ( N /A for none) S. S. Vasu, D. F. Davidson, R. K. Hanson, “Shock Tube Measurements of Jet Fuel Ignition

New insights into the shock tube ignition of H 2/O 2 at low to moderate temperatures using high-speed end-wall imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ninnemann, Erik; Koroglu, Batikan; Pryor, Owen

In this study, the effects of pre-ignition energy releases on H 2—O 2 mixtures were explored in a shock tube with the aid of high-speed imaging and conventional pressure and emission diagnostics. Ignition delay times and time-resolved camera image sequences were taken behind the reflected shockwaves for two hydrogen mixtures. High concentration experiments spanned temperatures between 858 and 1035 K and pressures between 2.74 and 3.91 atm for a 15% H 2\\18% O 2\\Ar mixture. Low concentration data were also taken at temperatures between 960 and 1131 K and pressures between 3.09 and 5.44 atm for a 4% H 2\\2%more » O 2\\Ar mixture. These two model mixtures were chosen as they were the focus of recent shock tube work conducted in the literature. Experiments were performed in both a clean and dirty shock tube facility; however, no deviations in ignition delay times between the two types of tests were apparent. The high-concentration mixture (15%H 2\\18%O 2\\Ar) experienced energy releases in the form of deflagration flames followed by local detonations at temperatures < 1000 K. Measured ignition delay times were compared to predictions by three chemical kinetic mechanisms: GRI-Mech 3.0, AramcoMech 2.0, and Burke's et al. (2012) mechanisms. It was found that when proper thermodynamic assumptions are used, all mechanisms were able to accurately predict the experiments with superior performance from the well-validated AramcoMech 2.0 and Burke et al. mechanisms. Current work provides better guidance in using available literature hydrogen shock tube measurements, which spanned more than 50 years but were conducted without the aid of high-speed visualization of the ignition process, and their modeling using combustion kinetic mechanisms.« less

New insights into the shock tube ignition of H 2/O 2 at low to moderate temperatures using high-speed end-wall imaging

DOE PAGES

Ninnemann, Erik; Koroglu, Batikan; Pryor, Owen; ...

2017-09-21

In this study, the effects of pre-ignition energy releases on H 2—O 2 mixtures were explored in a shock tube with the aid of high-speed imaging and conventional pressure and emission diagnostics. Ignition delay times and time-resolved camera image sequences were taken behind the reflected shockwaves for two hydrogen mixtures. High concentration experiments spanned temperatures between 858 and 1035 K and pressures between 2.74 and 3.91 atm for a 15% H 2\\18% O 2\\Ar mixture. Low concentration data were also taken at temperatures between 960 and 1131 K and pressures between 3.09 and 5.44 atm for a 4% H 2\\2%more » O 2\\Ar mixture. These two model mixtures were chosen as they were the focus of recent shock tube work conducted in the literature. Experiments were performed in both a clean and dirty shock tube facility; however, no deviations in ignition delay times between the two types of tests were apparent. The high-concentration mixture (15%H 2\\18%O 2\\Ar) experienced energy releases in the form of deflagration flames followed by local detonations at temperatures < 1000 K. Measured ignition delay times were compared to predictions by three chemical kinetic mechanisms: GRI-Mech 3.0, AramcoMech 2.0, and Burke's et al. (2012) mechanisms. It was found that when proper thermodynamic assumptions are used, all mechanisms were able to accurately predict the experiments with superior performance from the well-validated AramcoMech 2.0 and Burke et al. mechanisms. Current work provides better guidance in using available literature hydrogen shock tube measurements, which spanned more than 50 years but were conducted without the aid of high-speed visualization of the ignition process, and their modeling using combustion kinetic mechanisms.« less

Performance evaluation of bimodal thermite composites : nano- vs miron-scale particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moore, K. M.; Pantoya, M.; Son, S. F.

2004-01-01

In recent years many studies of metastable interstitial composites (MIC) have shown vast combustion improvements over traditional thermite materials. The main difference between these two materials is the size of the fuel particles in the mixture. Decreasing the fuel size from the micron to nanometer range significantly increases the combustion wave speed and ignition sensitivity. Little is known, however, about the critical level of nano-sized fuel particles needed to enhance the performance of the traditional thermite. Ignition sensitivity experiments were performed using Al/MoO{sub 3} pellets at a theoretical maximum density of 50% (2 g/cm{sup 3}). The Al fuel particles weremore » prepared as bi-modal size distributions with micron (i.e., 4 and 20 {micro}m diameter) and nano-scale Al particles. The micron-scale Al was replaced in 10% increments by 80 nm Al particles until the fuel was 100% 80 nm Al. These bi-modal distributions allow the unique characteristics of nano-scale materials to be better understood. The pellets were ignited using a 50-W CO{sub 2} laser. High speed imaging diagnostics were used to measure ignition delay times, and micro-thermocouples were used to measure ignition temperatures. Combustion wave speeds were also examined.« less

An experimental and modeling study of the autoignition of 3-methylheptane

DOE PAGES

Wang, Weijing; Li, Zhenhua; Oehlschlaeger, Matthew A.; ...

2013-01-01

An experimental and kinetic modeling study of the autoignition of 3-methylheptane, a compound representative of the high molecular weight lightly branched alkanes found in large quantities in conventional and synthetic aviation kerosene and diesel fuels, is reported. Shock tube and rapid compression machine ignition delay time measurements are reported over a wide range of conditions of relevance to combustion engine applications: temperatures from 678 to 1356 K; pressures of 6.5, 10, 20, and 50 atm; and equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. The wide range of temperatures examined provides observation of autoignition in three reactivity regimes, including the negativemore » temperature coefficient (NTC) regime characteristic of paraffinic fuels. Comparisons made between the current ignition delay measurements for 3-methylheptane and previous results for n-octane and 2-methylheptane quantifies the influence of a single methyl substitution and its location on the reactivity of alkanes. It is found that the three C8 alkane isomers have indistinguishable high-temperature ignition delay but their ignition delay times deviate in the NTC and low-temperature regimes in correlation with their research octane numbers. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of a proposed kinetic model that includes both high- and low-temperature oxidation chemistry. The model mechanistically explains the differences in reactivity for n-octane, 2-methylheptane, and 3-methylheptane in the NTC through the influence of the methyl substitution on the rates of isomerization reactions in the low-temperature chain branching pathway, that ultimately leads to ketohydroperoxide species, and the competition between low-temperature chain branching and the formation of cyclic ethers, in a chain propagating pathway.« less

Microgravity ignition experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Motevalli, Vahid; Elliott, William; Garrant, Keith; Marcotte, Ryan

1992-01-01

The purpose of this project is to develop a flight-ready apparatus of the microgravity ignition experiment for the GASCAN 2 program. The microgravity ignition experiment is designed to study how a microgravity environment affects the time to ignition of a sample of alpha-cellulose paper. A microgravity environment will result in a decrease in the heat transferred from the sample due to a lack of convection currents, which would decrease time to ignition. A lack of convection current would also cause the oxygen supply at the sample not to be renewed, which could delay or even prevent ignition. When this experiment is conducted aboard GASCAN 2, the dominant result of the lack of ignition will be determined. The experiment consists of four canisters containing four thermocouples and a sensor to detect ignition of the paper sample. This year the interior of the canister was redesigned and a mathematical model of the heat transfer around the sample was developed. This heat transfer model predicts an ignition time of approximately 5.5 seconds if the decrease of heat loss from the sample is the dominant factor of the lack of convection currents.

Program design for incentivizing ignition interlock installation for alcohol-impaired drivers: The Ontario approach.

PubMed

Ma, Tracey; Byrne, Patrick A; Bhatti, Junaid A; Elzohairy, Yoassry

2016-10-01

Drinking and driving is a major risk factor for traffic injuries. Although ignition interlocks reduce drinking and driving while installed, several issues undermine their implementation including delayed eligibility for installation, low installation once eligible, and a return to previous risk levels after de-installation. The Canadian province of Ontario introduced a "Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review" Program, significantly changing pre-existing interlock policy. The Program incentivizes interlock installation and an "early" guilty plea. It also attempts to reduce long-term recidivism through behavioural feedback and compliance-based removal. This evaluation is the first in assessing Program impact. Ontario drivers with a first time alcohol-impaired driving conviction between July 1, 2005 and November 25, 2014 comprised the study cohort. Longitudinal analyses, using interrupted time series and Cox regression, were conducted in which exposure was the Program and the outcomes were ignition interlock installation (N=30,200), pre-trial elapsed time (N=30,200), and post-interlock recidivism (N=9326). After Program implementation, installation rates increased by 54% and pre-trial elapsed time decreased by 146 days. Results suggest no effect on post-interlock recidivism. Through an incentive-based design, this Program was effective at addressing two commonly cited barriers to interlock implementation- delayed eligibility for installation and low installation once eligible. Results reveal that installation rates are responsive not only to incentivization but also to other external factors, thus presenting an opportunity for policy makers to find unique ways to influence interlock uptake, and thereby, to extend their deterrent effects to a larger subset of the population. This study is one of the few that do not rely on proxy measures of installation rate. Copyright © 2016 Crown. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Characterisation of two-stage ignition in diesel engine-relevant thermochemical conditions using direct numerical simulation

DOE PAGES

Krisman, Alex; Hawkes, Evatt R.; Talei, Mohsen; ...

2016-08-30

With the goal of providing a more detailed fundamental understanding of ignition processes in diesel engines, this study reports analysis of a direct numerical simulation (DNS) database. In the DNS, a pseudo turbulent mixing layer of dimethyl ether (DME) at 400 K and air at 900 K is simulated at a pressure of 40 atmospheres. At these conditions, DME exhibits a two-stage ignition and resides within the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) regime of ignition delay times, similar to diesel fuel. The analysis reveals a complex ignition process with several novel features. Autoignition occurs as a distributed, two-stage event. The high-temperaturemore » stage of ignition establishes edge flames that have a hybrid premixed/autoignition flame structure similar to that previously observed for lifted laminar flames at similar thermochemical conditions. In conclusion, a combustion mode analysis based on key radical species illustrates the multi-stage and multi-mode nature of the ignition process and highlights the substantial modelling challenge presented by diesel combustion.« less

Engine Valve Actuation For Combustion Enhancement

DOEpatents

Reitz, Rolf Deneys; Rutland, Christopher J.; Jhavar, Rahul

2004-05-18

A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-stroke combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.

Engine valve actuation for combustion enhancement

DOEpatents

Reitz, Rolf Deneys [Madison, WI; Rutland, Christopher J [Madison, WI; Jhavar, Rahul [Madison, WI

2008-03-04

A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-strokes combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.

Methane and hydrogen ignition with ethanol and butanol admixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eremin, A. V.; Matveeva, N. A.; Mikheyeva, E. Yu

2018-01-01

This work is devoted to the investigation of combustion of simple and complex gaseous fuels: methane and hydrogen with admixtures of the most promising alcohols: ethanol and butanol. The process of ignition of investigated blends behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range of 1000-1600 K and pressure range of 4.5-6 bar was studied. The temperature dependences of ignition delay times for stoichiometric methane-oxygen-ethanol (or butanol) and hydrogen-oxygen-ethanol (or butanol) mixtures diluted in argon were obtained. The possible kinetic description is discussed.

The combined effect of pressure and oxygen concentration on piloted ignition of a solid combustible

Treesearch

Sara McAllister; Carlos Fernandez-Pello; David Urban; Gary Ruff

2010-01-01

There are a number of situations when fires may occur at low pressures and oxygen concentrations that are different than standard atmospheric conditions, such as in buildings at high elevation, airplanes, and spacecraft. The flammability of materials may be affected by these environmental conditions. Since ignition delay is a measure of material flammability and...

Optical Pressure Measurements of Explosions

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

near field detonation product gases can have a significant effect upon afterburn ignition times (4). The implication being that afterburning times...can be tuned to bring detonation product afterburning into proximity of the leading shock, influencing brisance, and explosive impulse on target. 3...R. Z.; McAndrew, B. A. Afterburn Ignition Delay and Shock Augmentation in Fuel Rich Solid Explosives. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 2010

Effects of Gravity on Ignition and Combustion Characteristics of Externally Heated Polyethylene Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, Mitsumasa

2018-04-01

The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of gravity on the ignition and the combustion characteristics of the Polyethylene (PE) film by outer heating. Combustion experiments of PE film were carried out in a normal gravity field and the microgravity field. In the microgravity experiments, it was carried out in 50 m-class drop facility. Here it can be realized 10- 4G microgravity field in about 2.5-3.0 second. The PE film is heated by the inserted high-temperature chamber. In the experiments, the PE was used film type. The chamber temperature was fixed at 900 K and 1000 K. In the case of microgravity field, the ignition delay period has become about 50 percent shorter than that in the case of the normal gravitational field. In the normal gravity field, since the PE surface layer is cooled by natural convection, the ignition delay period is considered to be longer than that in the microgravity field. The combustion time in the normal gravity was about 0.8 sec. In the microgravity field, the combustion time was more than 2 sec, and it could not be measured during the free fall period.

Development and Performance of the W/Sb2O3/KIO4/Lubricant Pyrotechnic Delay in the US Army Hand-Held Signal

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Gany, Investigation of Slow-Propagation Tung- sten Delay Mixtures, Propellants Explos. Pyrotech. 1997, 22, 207–211. [3] Tungsten Delay Composition ...apex. This delay ele- ment then ignites an expulsion charge, which ejects and ig- nites the smoke or illumination payload. The current delay composition ...used in HHS consists of 32.0% tungsten, 56.3% barium chromate, 11.4% potassium perchlorate, and 0.3% VAAR. (All composition percentages in this

Limits of shock wave ignition of hydrogen-oxygen mixture in the presence of particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efremov, V. P.; Obruchkova, L. R.; Ivanov, M. F.; Kiverin, A. D.

2018-01-01

It is a well known fact that the cloud of non-reacting particles in the flow weakens or even suppresses the detonation. Contrary to this phenomenon there are experimental data showing that the presence of solid particles in the combustible mixtures shorten significantly the ignition delay time. In other words particles could promote the initiation of detonation. This paper analyzes numerically the phenomenon of detonation initiation behind the shock wave in the combustible mixture containing only one solid particle. Numerical results demonstrate a significant degree of lowering of ignition limits. Namely, it is shown that it becomes possible to ignite the gaseous mixture much earlier due to the shock wave interaction with solid particle surface. It is found that ignition arises in subsonic region located between the particle and the bow shock front.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mehl, M; Kukkadapu, G; Kumar, K

The use of gasoline in homogeneous charge compression ignition engines (HCCI) and in duel fuel diesel - gasoline engines, has increased the need to understand its compression ignition processes under engine-like conditions. These processes need to be studied under well-controlled conditions in order to quantify low temperature heat release and to provide fundamental validation data for chemical kinetic models. With this in mind, an experimental campaign has been undertaken in a rapid compression machine (RCM) to measure the ignition of gasoline mixtures over a wide range of compression temperatures and for different compression pressures. By measuring the pressure history duringmore » ignition, information on the first stage ignition (when observed) and second stage ignition are captured along with information on the phasing of the heat release. Heat release processes during ignition are important because gasoline is known to exhibit low temperature heat release, intermediate temperature heat release and high temperature heat release. In an HCCI engine, the occurrence of low-temperature and intermediate-temperature heat release can be exploited to obtain higher load operation and has become a topic of much interest for engine researchers. Consequently, it is important to understand these processes under well-controlled conditions. A four-component gasoline surrogate model (including n-heptane, iso-octane, toluene, and 2-pentene) has been developed to simulate real gasolines. An appropriate surrogate mixture of the four components has been developed to simulate the specific gasoline used in the RCM experiments. This chemical kinetic surrogate model was then used to simulate the RCM experimental results for real gasoline. The experimental and modeling results covered ultra-lean to stoichiometric mixtures, compressed temperatures of 640-950 K, and compression pressures of 20 and 40 bar. The agreement between the experiments and model is encouraging in terms of first-stage (when observed) and second-stage ignition delay times and of heat release rate. The experimental and computational results are used to gain insight into low and intermediate temperature processes during gasoline ignition.« less

Numerical Analysis of the SCHOLAR Supersonic Combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, Carlos G.; Cutler, Andrew D.

2003-01-01

The SCHOLAR scramjet experiment is the subject of an ongoing numerical investigation. The facility nozzle and combustor were solved separate and sequentially, with the exit conditions of the former used as inlet conditions for the latter. A baseline configuration for the numerical model was compared with the available experimental data. It was found that ignition-delay was underpredicted and fuel-plume penetration overpredicted, while the pressure rise was close to experimental values. In addition, grid-convergence by means of grid-sequencing could not be established. The effects of the different turbulence parameters were quantified. It was found that it was not possible to simultaneously predict the three main parameters of this flow: pressure-rise, ignition-delay, and fuel-plume penetration.

Detailed mechanism for oxidation of benzene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, David A.

1990-01-01

A detailed mechanism for the oxidation of benzene is presented and used to compute experimentally obtained concentration profiles and ignition delay times over a wide range of equivalence ratio and temperature. The computed results agree qualitatively with all the experimental trends. Quantitative agreement is obtained with several of the composition profiles and for the temperature dependence of the ignition delay times. There are indications, however, that some important reactions are as yet undiscovered in this mechanism. Recent literature expressions have been used for the rate coefficients of most important reactions, except for some involving phenol. The discrepancy between the phenol pyrolysis rate coefficient used in this work and a recent literature expression remains to be explained.

Ignition Characteristics at Low Ambient Pressures of a Full-Scale Injector Using H.T.P. and C-Fuel

DTIC Science & Technology

1951-06-01

to two effects: (i) The pressure switch was very sensitive and opened before the Miller recorder indicated a rise in pressure, (ii) The photocell used...cause an indeterminate in- crease in the measured ignition delay. In order to make the pressure switch less sensitive it was re-sot to open at about 55 lb

Molecular dynamic simulation of thermite reaction of Al nanosphere/Fe2O3 nanotube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Zhi-Yang; Ma, Bo; Tang, Cui-Ming; Cheng, Xin-Lu

2016-01-01

The letter presents thermite reactions of Al/Fe2O3 nanothermites simulated by using molecular dynamic method in combination with ReaxFF. The variations in chemical bonds are measured to elaborate reaction process and characterize ignition performance. It is found that the longer interval is, the higher ignition temperature and the longer ignition delay system has. Additionally, the heating rate has much effect on ignition temperature. Under the temperature of 1450 K, oxygen is directly released from hematite nanotube, thermite reaction is deemed as a multiphase process. And, release energy of System2 is about 3.96 kJ/g. However, much energy rises from alloy reaction. Thermite reactions do not follow the theoretical equation, but are a complicated process.

Laser ignition

DOEpatents

Early, James W.; Lester, Charles S.

2002-01-01

In the apparatus of the invention, a first excitation laser or other excitation light source is used in tandem with an ignitor laser to provide a compact, durable, engine deployable fuel ignition laser system. The beam from the excitation light source is split with a portion of it going to the ignitor laser and a second portion of it being recombined with the first portion after a delay before injection into the ignitor laser. Reliable fuel ignition is provided over a wide range of fuel conditions by using a single remote excitation light source for one or more small lasers located proximate to one or more fuel combustion zones.

Reactive nanolaminate pulsed-laser ignition mechanism: Modeling and experimental evidence of diffusion limited reactions

DOE PAGES

Yarrington, C. D.; Abere, M. J.; Adams, D. P.; ...

2017-04-03

We irradiated Al/Pt nanolaminates with a bilayer thickness (tb, width of an Al/Pt pair-layer) of 164 nm with single laser pulses with durations of 10 ms and 0.5 ms at 189 W/cm 2 and 1189 W/cm 2, respectively. The time to ignition was measured for each pulse, and shorter ignition times were observed for the higher power/shorter pulse width. While the shorter pulse shows uniform brightness, videographic images of the irradiated area shortly after ignition show a non-uniform radial brightness for the longer pulse. A diffusion-limited single step reaction mechanism was implemented in a finite element package to model themore » progress from reactants to products at both pulse widths. Finally, the model captures well both the observed ignition delay and qualitative observations regarding the non-uniform radial temperature.« less

Characteristics and dispersity of a two gap capillary discharge applied for long spark gap ignition in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Dong; Yang, Lanjun; Guo, Haishan; Zhang, Zhiyuan; Jiang, Hongqiu; Xu, Haipeng

2017-07-01

In this paper, the characteristics and dispersity of a two gap capillary (TGC) discharge applied for long spark gap ignition are studied. Under the same discharge condition, 30 repetitive discharges are done to get a certain number of data samples. Accordingly, the change trend of the characteristics and the dispersity with the charging voltage of C1 are analyzed statistically. The delay of soft capillary discharge is determined by the saturation rate of the magnetic core of the pulse transformer and decreases with the increase in the charging voltage. The main discharge delay decreases from 1.0 kV to 2.0 kV and stops the decreasing trend when the charging voltage increases to 2.5 kV. In contrast, the current amplitude of soft capillary discharge and main discharge increases with charging voltage. Long tail extinction is witnessed at the charging voltage of 1.0 kV and the major cause is the insufficient pressure in the post discharge. The waveform of the capillary arc resistivity is U-like shape and the minimum resistivity decreases with the increase in the charging voltage. Meanwhile, the arc resistivity in the ascending stage is much higher than that in the descending stage with the same value of the discharge current. The energy consumption of the TGC discharge can be mainly divided into four parts and more than 70% of the energy is consumed in main discharge.

Ignition dynamics and activation energies of metallic thermites: From nano- to micron-scale particulate composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, Emily M.; Pantoya, Michelle L.

2005-08-01

Ignition behaviors associated with nano- and micron-scale particulate composite thermites were studied experimentally and modeled theoretically. The experimental analysis utilized a CO2 laser ignition apparatus to ignite the front surface of compacted nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al) pellets at varying heating rates. Ignition delay time and ignition temperature as a function of both Ni and Al particle size were measured using high-speed imaging and microthermocouples. The apparent activation energy was determined from this data using a Kissinger isoconversion method. This study shows that the activation energy is significantly lower for nano- compared with micron-scale particulate media (i.e., as low as 17.4 compared with 162.5kJ /mol, respectively). Two separate Arrhenius-type mathematical models were developed that describe ignition in the nano- and the micron-composite thermites. The micron-composite model is based on a heat balance while the nanocomposite model incorporates the energy of phase transformation in the alumina shell theorized to be an initiating step in the solid-solid diffusion reaction and uniquely appreciable in nanoparticle media. These models were found to describe the ignition of the Ni /Al alloy for a wide range of heating rates.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on the Effects of RATO Timing on the Scale Model Acoustic Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nielsen, Tanner; Williams, B.; West, Jeff

2015-01-01

The Scale Model Acoustic Test (SMAT) is a 5% scale test of the Space Launch System (SLS), which is currently being designed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The purpose of this test is to characterize and understand a variety of acoustic phenomena that occur during the early portions of lift off, one being the overpressure environment that develops shortly after booster ignition. The SLS lift off configuration consists of four RS-25 liquid thrusters on the core stage, with two solid boosters connected to each side. Past experience with scale model testing at MSFC (in ER42), has shown that there is a delay in the ignition of the Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO) motor, which is used as the 5% scale analog of the solid boosters, after the signal to ignite is given. This delay can range from 0 to 16.5ms. While this small of a delay maybe insignificant in the case of the full scale SLS, it can significantly alter the data obtained during the SMAT due to the much smaller geometry. The speed of sound of the air and combustion gas constituents is not scaled, and therefore the SMAT pressure waves propagate at approximately the same speed as occurs during full scale. However, the SMAT geometry is much smaller allowing the pressure waves to move down the exhaust duct, through the trench, and impact the vehicle model much faster than occurs at full scale. To better understand the effect of the RATO timing simultaneity on the SMAT IOP test data, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using the Loci/CHEM CFD software program. Five different timing offsets, based on RATO ignition delay statistics, were simulated. A variety of results and comparisons will be given, assessing the overall effect of RATO timing simultaneity on the SMAT overpressure environment.

Experimental verification of the capillary plasma triggered long spark gap under the extremely low working coefficient in air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, D.; Yang, L. J., E-mail: yanglj@mail.xjtu.edu.cn; Ma, J. B.

The paper has proposed a new triggering method for long spark gap based on capillary plasma ejection and conducted the experimental verification under the extremely low working coefficient, which represents that the ratio of the spark gap charging voltage to the breakdown voltage is particularly low. The quasi-neutral plasma is ejected from the capillary and develops through the axial direction of the spark gap. The electric field in the spark gap is thus changed and its breakdown is incurred. It is proved by the experiments that the capillary plasma ejection is effective in triggering the long spark gap under themore » extremely low working coefficient in air. The study also indicates that the breakdown probabilities, the breakdown delay, and the delay dispersion are all mainly determined by the characteristics of the ejected plasma, including the length of the plasma flow, the speed of the plasma ejection, and the ionization degree of the plasma. Moreover, the breakdown delay and the delay dispersion increase with the length of the long spark gap, and the polarity effect exists in the triggering process. Lastly, compared with the working patterns of the triggering device installed in the single electrode, the working pattern of the devices installed in both the two electrodes, though with the same breakdown process, achieves the ignition under longer gap distance. To be specific, at the gap length of 14 cm and the working coefficient of less than 2%, the spark gap is still ignited accurately.« less

Nonequilibrium combustion effects in supersonic streams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, R. M.; Bryce, C. A.; Reese, B. A.

1972-01-01

This research program is a theoretical and experimental investigation of the effect of nonequilibrium conditions upon the performance of combustors employing supersonic flows. Calculations and experiments are made regarding the effects on the ignition of hydrogen of the nonequilibrium species (free radicals, atoms, water vapor, etc.) obtained using vitiated air. Results of this investigation show that the nonequilibrium free-radical content from a supersonic vitiated air source will cause early ignition of the hydrogen. An analysis of heated air expended from a high temperature source to test section conditions also indicates that there is sufficient free radical content in the incoming flow to cause early ignition. Water vapor, an inherent contaminant in the generation of vitiated air, was found to reduce the ignition delay period under the experimental conditions considered.

Coal desulfurization by chlorinolysis production and combustion test evaluation of product coals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalvinskas, J. J.; Daly, D.

1982-01-01

Laboratory-scale screening tests were carried out on coal from Harrison County, Ohio to establish chlorination and hydrodesulfurization conditions for the batch reactor production of chlorinolysis and chlorinolysis-hydrodesulfurized coals. In addition, three bituminous coals, were treated on the lab scale by the chlorinolysis process to provide 39 to 62% desulfurization. Two bituminous coals and one subbituminous coal were then produced in 11 to 15 pound lots as chlorinolysis and hydrodesulfurized coals. The chlorinolysis coals had a desulfurization of 29-69%, reductions in voltatiles and hydrogen. Hydrodesulfurization provided a much greater desulfurization (56-86%), reductions in volatiles and hydrogen. The three coals were combustion tested in the Penn State ""plane flame furnace'' to determine ignition and burning characteristics. All three coals burned well to completion as: raw coals, chlorinolysis processed coals, and hydrodesulfurized coals. The hydrodesulfurized coals experienced greater ignition delays and reduced burning rates than the other coals because of the reduced volatile content. It is thought that the increased open pore volume in the desulfurized-devolatilized coals compensates in part for the decreased volatiles effect on ignition and burning.

Ducted fuel injection: A new approach for lowering soot emissions from direct-injection engines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mueller, Charles J.; Nilsen, Christopher W.; Ruth, Daniel J.

Designers of direct-injection compression-ignition engines use a variety of strategies to improve the fuel/charge-gas mixture within the combustion chamber for increased efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions. Strategies include the use of high fuel-injection pressures, multiple injections, small injector orifices, flow swirl, long-ignition-delay conditions, and oxygenated fuels. This is the first journal publication paper on a new mixing-enhancement strategy for emissions reduction: ducted fuel injection. The concept involves injecting fuel along the axis of a small cylindrical duct within the combustion chamber, to enhance the mixture in the autoignition zone relative to a conventional free-spray configuration (i.e., a fuel spray thatmore » is not surrounded by a duct). Finally, the results described herein, from initial proof-of-concept experiments conducted in a constant-volume combustion vessel, show dramatically lower soot incandescence from ducted fuel injection than from free sprays over a range of charge-gas conditions that are representative of those in modern direct-injection compression-ignition engines.« less

The combustion behavior of diesel/CNG mixtures in a constant volume combustion chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Firmansyah; Aziz, A. R. A.; Heikal, M. R.

2015-12-01

The stringent emissions and needs to increase fuel efficiency makes controlled auto-ignition (CAI) based combustion an attractive alternative for the new combustion system. However, the combustion control is the main obstacles in its development. Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) that employs two fuels with significantly different in reactivity proven to be able to control the combustion. The RCCI concept applied in a constant volume chamber fuelled with direct injected diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) was tested. The mixture composition is varied from 0 - 100% diesel/CNG at lambda 1 with main data collection are pressure profile and combustion images. The results show that diesel-CNG mixture significantly shows better combustion compared to diesel only. It is found that CNG is delaying the diesel combustion and at the same time assisting in diesel distribution inside the chamber. This combination creates a multipoint ignition of diesel throughout the chamber that generate very fast heat release rate and higher maximum pressure. Furthermore, lighter yellow color of the flame indicates lower soot production in compared with diesel combustion.

Ducted fuel injection: A new approach for lowering soot emissions from direct-injection engines

DOE PAGES

Mueller, Charles J.; Nilsen, Christopher W.; Ruth, Daniel J.; ...

2017-07-18

Designers of direct-injection compression-ignition engines use a variety of strategies to improve the fuel/charge-gas mixture within the combustion chamber for increased efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions. Strategies include the use of high fuel-injection pressures, multiple injections, small injector orifices, flow swirl, long-ignition-delay conditions, and oxygenated fuels. This is the first journal publication paper on a new mixing-enhancement strategy for emissions reduction: ducted fuel injection. The concept involves injecting fuel along the axis of a small cylindrical duct within the combustion chamber, to enhance the mixture in the autoignition zone relative to a conventional free-spray configuration (i.e., a fuel spray thatmore » is not surrounded by a duct). Finally, the results described herein, from initial proof-of-concept experiments conducted in a constant-volume combustion vessel, show dramatically lower soot incandescence from ducted fuel injection than from free sprays over a range of charge-gas conditions that are representative of those in modern direct-injection compression-ignition engines.« less

Effect of Particle Morphology on the Reactivity of Explosively Dispersed Titanium Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frost, David L.; Cairns, Malcolm; Goroshin, Samuel; Zhang, Fan

2009-12-01

The effect of particle morphology on the reaction of titanium (Ti) particles explosively dispersed during the detonation of either cylindrical or spherical charges has been investigated experimentally. The explosive charges consisted of packed beds of Ti particles saturated with nitromethane. The reaction behaviour of irregularly-shaped Ti particles in three size ranges is compared with tests with spherical Ti particles. The particle reaction is strongly dependent on particle morphology, e.g., 95 μm spherical Ti particles failed to ignite (in cylinders up to 49 mm in dia), whereas similarly sized irregular Ti particles readily ignited. For irregular particles, the uniformity of ignition on the particle cloud surface was almost independent of particle size, but depended on charge diameter. As the charge diameter was reduced, ignition in the conically expanding particle cloud occurred only at isolated spots or bands. For spherical charges, whereas large irregular Ti particles ignited promptly and uniformly throughout the particle cloud, the smallest particles dispersed nonuniformly and ignition occurred at isolated locations after a delay. Hence the charge geometry, as well as particle morphology, influences the reaction behaviour of the particles.

Techniques for Enhancing Implosion Performance on High-Foot Ignition Capsules on NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dittrich, T. R.; Hurricane, O.; Berzak Hopkins, L. F.; Callahan, D. A.; Clark, D.; Haan, S. W.; Hinkel, D. E.; Ma, T.; Nikroo, A.; Pak, A. E.; Park, H. S.; Salmonson, J. D.; Weber, C. R.

2016-10-01

Two options that have the potential to improve implosion performance in the High-Foot series of ignition capsules on NIF will be presented. The first option explores changing the shape of the x-ray drive to include a 4th and even a 5th shock in the implosion. According to simulations, these extra shocks improve the configuration of the assembled fuel and lead to improved confinement and performance. A ``ramp compression'' between the foot of the drive and the main pulse is also investigated. The second option studies the effect of increasing the Si dopant in a thin-shell capsule. NIF shot N150211 produced relatively high fusion yield (7.6E15 neutrons) but may have suffered from shell burn through. Increasing the Si dopant may delay this burn through yet preserve high implosion velocity. This work was performed under the auspices of the Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Effect of Fuel Particle Size on the Stability of Swirl Stabilized Flame in a Gas Turbine Combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, R. K.; Kishore Kumar, S.; Chandel, Sunil

2015-05-01

Combustion stability is examined in a swirl stabilized aero gas turbine combustor using computational fluid dynamics. A 22.5° sector of an annular combustor is modeled for the study. Unstructured tetrahedral meshes comprising 1.2 × 106 elements are employed in the model where the governing equations are solved using CFD flow solver CFX using eddy dissipation combustion model. The effect of fuel particle size on the combustion and its stability has been studied at steady state and transient conditions. The time for complete evaporation is increased exponentially when drop size increases. It delays heating up the mixture and subsequent ignition. This strongly affects the stability of the combustion flame as the incoming fresh mixture will have a quenching effect on the existing temperature field. Transient analysis at low fuel-air ratio and high particle size shows that there is a series of flame extinction and re-ignition prior to complete extinction which is observed from the fluctuation of gas temperature in the primary zone.

Detailed mechanism of toluene oxidation and comparison with benzene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, David A.

1988-01-01

A detailed mechanism for the oxidation of toluene in both argon and nitrogen dilutents is presented. The mechanism was used to compute experimentally ignition delay times for shock-heated toluene-oxygen-argon mixtures with resonably good success over a wide range of initial temperatures and pressures. Attempts to compute experimentally measured concentration profiles for toluene oxidation in a turbulent reactor were partially successful. An extensive sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the reactions which control the ignition process and the rates of formation and destruction of various species. The most important step was found to be the reaction of toluene with molecular oxygen, followed by the reactions of hydroperoxyl and atomic oxygen with benzyl radicals. These findings contrast with the benzene oxidation, where the benzene-molecular oxygen reaction is quite unimportant and the reaction of phenyl with molecular oxygen dominates. In the toluene mechanism the corresponding reaction of benzyl radicals with oxygen is unimportant. Two reactions which are important in the oxidation of benzene also influence the oxidation of toluene for several conditions. These are the oxidations of phenyl and cyclopentadienyl radicals by molecular oxygen. The mechanism presented successfully computes the decrease of toluene concentration with time in the nitrogen diluted turbulent reactor. This fact, in addition to the good prediction of ignition delay times, shows that this mechanism can be used for modeling the ignition and combustion process in practical, well-mixed combustion systems.

Laser ignition

DOEpatents

Early, James W.; Lester, Charles S.

2002-01-01

In the apparatus of the invention, a first excitation laser or other excitation light source is used in tandem with an ignitor laser to provide a compact, durable, engine deployable fuel ignition laser system. Reliable fuel ignition is provided over a wide range of fuel conditions by using a single remote excitation light source for one or more small lasers located proximate to one or more fuel combustion zones. In the embodiment of the invention claimed herein, the beam from the excitation light source is split with a portion of it going to the ignitor laser and a second portion of it being combined with either the first portion after a delay before injection into the ignitor laser.

Air/fuel ratio visualization in a diesel spray

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carabell, Kevin David

1993-01-01

To investigate some features of high pressure diesel spray ignition, we have applied a newly developed planar imaging system to a spray in an engine-fed combustion bomb. The bomb is designed to give flow characteristics similar to those in a direct injection diesel engine yet provide nearly unlimited optical access. A high pressure electronic unit injector system with on-line manually adjustable main and pilot injection features was used. The primary scalar of interest was the local air/fuel ratio, particularly near the spray plumes. To make this measurement quantitative, we have developed a calibration LIF technique. The development of this technique is the key contribution of this dissertation. The air/fuel ratio measurement was made using biacetyl as a seed in the air inlet to the engine. When probed by a tripled Nd:YAG laser the biacetyl fluoresces, with a signal proportional to the local biacetyl concentration. This feature of biacetyl enables the fluorescent signal to be used as as indicator of local fuel vapor concentration. The biacetyl partial pressure was carefully controlled, enabling estimates of the local concentration of air and the approximate local stoichiometry in the fuel spray. The results indicate that the image quality generated with this method is sufficient for generating air/fuel ratio contours. The processes during the ignition delay have a marked effect on ignition and the subsequent burn. These processes, vaporization and pre-flame kinetics, very much depend on the mixing of the air and fuel. This study has shown that poor mixing and over-mixing of the air and fuel will directly affect the type of ignition. An optimal mixing arrangement exists and depends on the swirl ratio in the engine, the number of holes in the fuel injector and the distribution of fuel into a pilot and main injection. If a short delay and a diffusion burn is desired, the best mixing parameters among those surveyed would be a high swirl ratio, a 4-hole nozzle and a small pilot. This arrangement provided the best combination of short ignition delay and diffusion burn for the majority of cases.

Investigation on the gaseous and particulate emissions of a compression ignition engine fueled with diesel-dimethyl carbonate blends.

PubMed

Cheung, C S; Zhu, Ruijun; Huang, Zuohua

2011-01-01

The effect of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) on the gaseous and particulate emissions of a diesel engine was investigated using Euro V diesel fuel blended with different proportions of DMC. Combustion analysis shows that, with the blended fuel, the ignition delay and the heat release rate in the premixed combustion phase increase, while the total combustion duration and the fuel consumed in the diffusion combustion phase decrease. Compared with diesel fuel, with an increase of DMC in the blended fuel, the brake thermal efficiency is slightly improved but the brake specific fuel consumption increases. On the emission side, CO increases significantly at low engine load but decreases at high engine load while HC decreases slightly. NO(x) reduces slightly but the reduction is not statistically significant, while NO(2) increases slightly. Particulate mass and number concentrations decrease upon using the blended fuel while the geometric mean diameter of the particles shifts towards smaller size. Overall speaking, diesel-DMC blends lead to significant improvement in particulate emissions while the impact on CO, HC and NO(x) emissions is small. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical kinetic reaction mechanism for the combustion of propane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jachimowski, C. J.

1984-01-01

A detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism for the combustion of propane is presented and discussed. The mechanism consists of 27 chemical species and 83 elementary chemical reactions. Ignition and combustion data as determined in shock tube studies were used to evaluate the mechanism. Numerical simulation of the shock tube experiments showed that the kinetic behavior predicted by the mechanism for stoichiometric mixtures is in good agrement with the experimental results over the entire temperature range examined (1150-2600K). Sensitivity and theoretical studies carried out using the mechanism revealed that hydrocarbon reactions which are involved in the formation of the HO2 radical and the H2O2 molecule are very important in the mechanism and that the observed nonlinear behavior of ignition delay time with decreasing temperature can be interpreted in terms of the increased importance of the HO2 and H2O2 reactions at the lower temperatures.

Thermal re-ignition processes of switching arcs with various gas-blast using voltage application highly controlled by powersemiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, Tomoyuki; Tanaka, Yasunori; Murai, K.; Uesugi, Y.; Ishijima, T.; Tomita, K.; Suzuki, K.; Shinkai, T.

2018-05-01

This paper focuses on a fundamental experimental approach to thermal arc re-ignition processes in a variety of gas flows in a nozzle. Using power semiconductor switches in the experimental system, the arc current and the voltage applied to the arc were controlled with precise timing. With this system, residual arcs were created in decaying phase under free recovery conditions; arc re-ignition was then intentionally instigated by application of artificial voltage—i.e. quasi-transient recovery voltage—to study the arc behaviour in both decaying and re-ignition phases. In this study, SF6, CO2, N2, O2, air and Ar arcs were intentionally re-ignited by quasi-TRV application at 20 μs delay time from initiation of free recovery condition. Through these experiments, the electron density at the nozzle throat was measured using a laser Thomson scattering method together with high speed video camera observation during the re-ignition process. Temporal variations in the electron density from the arc decaying to re-ignition phases were successfully obtained for each gas-blast arc at the nozzle throat. In addition, initial dielectric recovery properties of SF6, CO2, air and Ar arcs were measured under the same conditions. These data will be useful in the fundamental elucidation of thermal arc re-ignition processes.

Characteristics of the Energetic Igniters Through Integrating B/Ti Nano-Multilayers on TaN Film Bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, YiChao; Shi, Wei; Jiang, HongChuan; Cai, XianYao; Deng, XinWu; Xiong, Jie; Zhang, WanLi

2015-05-01

The energetic igniters through integrating B/Ti nano-multilayers on tantalum nitride (TaN) ignition bridge are designed and fabricated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) results show that nitrogen content has a great influence on the crystalline structure and TCR. TaN films under nitrogen ratio of 0.99 % exhibit a near-zero TCR value of approximately 10 ppm/°C. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the layered structure of the B/Ti multilayer films is clearly visible with sharp and smooth interfaces. The electrical explosion characteristics employing a capacitor discharge firing set at the optimized charging voltage of 45 V reveal an excellent explosion performance by (B/Ti) n /TaN integration film bridge with small ignition delay time, high explosion temperature, much more bright flash of light, and much large quantities of the ejected product particles than TaN film bridge.

Synthesis and testing of hypergolic ionic liquids for chemical propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stovbun, S. V.; Shchegolikhin, A. N.; Usachev, S. V.; Khomik, S. V.; Medvedev, S. P.

2017-06-01

Synthesis of new highly energetic ionic liquids (ILs) is described, and their hypergolic ignition properties are tested. The synthesized ILs combine the advantages of conventional rocket propellants with the energy characteristics of acetylene derivatives. To this end, N-alkylated imidazoles (alkyl = ethyl, butyl) have been synthesized and alkylated with propargyl bromide. The desired ionic liquids have been produced by metathesis using Ag dicyanamide. Modified hypergolic drop tests with white fuming nitric acid have been performed for N-ethyl (IL-1) and N-butyl propargylimidazolium (IL-2) ionic liquids. In the modified drop tests, high-speed shadowgraph imaging is used to visualize the process, and the temperature rise due to ignition is monitored with a two-color photodetector. It is shown that the ignition delay is shorter for IL-1 as compared to IL-2. The ignition of IL-1 occurs in two stages, whereas the combustion of IL-2 proceeds smoothly without secondary flashes.

Synthesis of WO 3 nanoparticles for superthermites by the template method from silica spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibot, Pierre; Comet, Marc; Vidal, Loic; Moitrier, Florence; Lacroix, Fabrice; Suma, Yves; Schnell, Fabien; Spitzer, Denis

2011-05-01

Nanosized WO 3 tungsten trioxide was prepared by calcination of H 3P 4W 12O 40· xH 2O phosphotungstic acid, previously dissolved in a silica colloidal solution. The influence of the silica spheres/tungsten precursor weight ratio ( x) was investigated. The pristine oxide powders were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, SEM and TEM techniques. A specific surface area and a pore volume of 64.2 m 2 g -1 and 0.33 cm 3 g -1, respectively, were obtained for the well-crystallized WO 3 powder prepared with x = 2/3 and after the removal of the silica template. The WO 3 particles exhibit a sphere-shaped morphology with a particle size of 13 and 320 nm as function of the x ratio. The performance and the sensitivity levels of the thermites prepared from aluminium nanoparticles mixed with (i) the smallest tungsten (VI) oxide material and (ii) the microscale WO 3 were compared. The combustion of these energetic composites was investigated by time resolved cinematography (TRC). This unconventional experimental technique consists to ignite the dried compressed composites by using a CO 2 laser beam, in order to determine their ignition delay time (IDT) and their combustion rate. The downsizing WO 3 particles improves, without ambiguity, the energetic performances of the WO 3/Al thermite. For instance, the ignition delay time was greatly shortened from 54 ± 10 ms to 5.7 ± 0.2 ms and the combustion velocity was increased by a factor 50 to reach a value of 4.1 ± 0.3 m/s. In addition, the use of WO 3 nanoparticles sensitizes the mixture to mechanical stimuli but decreases the sensitivity to electrostatic discharge.

Development of a reduced tri-propylene glycol monomethyl ether– n -hexadecane–poly-aromatic hydrocarbon mechanism and its application for soot prediction

DOE PAGES

Park, Seunghyun; Ra, Youngchul; Reitz, Rolf D.; ...

2016-03-01

A reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for Tri-Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (TPGME) has been developed and applied to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations for predicting combustion and soot formation processes. The reduced TPGME mechanism was combined with a reduced n-hexadecane mechanism and a Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) mechanism to investigate the effect of fuel oxygenation on combustion and soot emissions. The final version of the TPGME-n-hexadecane-PAH mechanism consists of 144 species and 730 reactions and was validated with experiments in shock tubes as well as in a constant volume spray combustion vessel (CVCV) from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN). The effects ofmore » ambient temperature, varying oxygen content in the tested fuels on ignition delay, spray liftoff length and soot formation under diesel-like conditions were analyzed and addressed using multidimensional reacting flow simulations and the reduced mechanism. Here, the results show that the present reduced mechanism gives reliable predictions of the combustion characteristics and soot formation processes. In the CVCV simulations, two important trends were identified. First, increasing the initial temperature in the CVCV shortens the ignition delay and lift-off length, reduces the fuel-air mixing, thereby increasing the soot levels. Secondly, fuel oxygenation introduces more oxygen into the central region of a fuel jet and reduces residence times of fuel rich area in active soot forming regions, thereby reducing soot levels.« less

Development of a reduced tri-propylene glycol monomethyl ether– n -hexadecane–poly-aromatic hydrocarbon mechanism and its application for soot prediction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, Seunghyun; Ra, Youngchul; Reitz, Rolf D.

A reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for Tri-Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (TPGME) has been developed and applied to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations for predicting combustion and soot formation processes. The reduced TPGME mechanism was combined with a reduced n-hexadecane mechanism and a Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) mechanism to investigate the effect of fuel oxygenation on combustion and soot emissions. The final version of the TPGME-n-hexadecane-PAH mechanism consists of 144 species and 730 reactions and was validated with experiments in shock tubes as well as in a constant volume spray combustion vessel (CVCV) from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN). The effects ofmore » ambient temperature, varying oxygen content in the tested fuels on ignition delay, spray liftoff length and soot formation under diesel-like conditions were analyzed and addressed using multidimensional reacting flow simulations and the reduced mechanism. Here, the results show that the present reduced mechanism gives reliable predictions of the combustion characteristics and soot formation processes. In the CVCV simulations, two important trends were identified. First, increasing the initial temperature in the CVCV shortens the ignition delay and lift-off length, reduces the fuel-air mixing, thereby increasing the soot levels. Secondly, fuel oxygenation introduces more oxygen into the central region of a fuel jet and reduces residence times of fuel rich area in active soot forming regions, thereby reducing soot levels.« less

Mechanism reduction for multicomponent surrogates: A case study using toluene reference fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Niemeyer, Kyle E.; Sung, Chih-Jen

Strategies and recommendations for performing skeletal reductions of multicomponent surrogate fuels are presented, through the generation and validation of skeletal mechanisms for a three-component toluene reference fuel. Using the directed relation graph with error propagation and sensitivity analysis method followed by a further unimportant reaction elimination stage, skeletal mechanisms valid over comprehensive and high-temperature ranges of conditions were developed at varying levels of detail. These skeletal mechanisms were generated based on autoignition simulations, and validation using ignition delay predictions showed good agreement with the detailed mechanism in the target range of conditions. When validated using phenomena other than autoignition, suchmore » as perfectly stirred reactor and laminar flame propagation, tight error control or more restrictions on the reduction during the sensitivity analysis stage were needed to ensure good agreement. In addition, tight error limits were needed for close prediction of ignition delay when varying the mixture composition away from that used for the reduction. In homogeneous compression-ignition engine simulations, the skeletal mechanisms closely matched the point of ignition and accurately predicted species profiles for lean to stoichiometric conditions. Furthermore, the efficacy of generating a multicomponent skeletal mechanism was compared to combining skeletal mechanisms produced separately for neat fuel components; using the same error limits, the latter resulted in a larger skeletal mechanism size that also lacked important cross reactions between fuel components. Based on the present results, general guidelines for reducing detailed mechanisms for multicomponent fuels are discussed.« less

Mechanism reduction for multicomponent surrogates: A case study using toluene reference fuels

DOE PAGES

Niemeyer, Kyle E.; Sung, Chih-Jen

2014-11-01

Strategies and recommendations for performing skeletal reductions of multicomponent surrogate fuels are presented, through the generation and validation of skeletal mechanisms for a three-component toluene reference fuel. Using the directed relation graph with error propagation and sensitivity analysis method followed by a further unimportant reaction elimination stage, skeletal mechanisms valid over comprehensive and high-temperature ranges of conditions were developed at varying levels of detail. These skeletal mechanisms were generated based on autoignition simulations, and validation using ignition delay predictions showed good agreement with the detailed mechanism in the target range of conditions. When validated using phenomena other than autoignition, suchmore » as perfectly stirred reactor and laminar flame propagation, tight error control or more restrictions on the reduction during the sensitivity analysis stage were needed to ensure good agreement. In addition, tight error limits were needed for close prediction of ignition delay when varying the mixture composition away from that used for the reduction. In homogeneous compression-ignition engine simulations, the skeletal mechanisms closely matched the point of ignition and accurately predicted species profiles for lean to stoichiometric conditions. Furthermore, the efficacy of generating a multicomponent skeletal mechanism was compared to combining skeletal mechanisms produced separately for neat fuel components; using the same error limits, the latter resulted in a larger skeletal mechanism size that also lacked important cross reactions between fuel components. Based on the present results, general guidelines for reducing detailed mechanisms for multicomponent fuels are discussed.« less

TOPICAL REVIEW: Plasma assisted ignition and combustion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Starikovskaia, S. M.

2006-08-01

In recent decades particular interest in applications of nonequilibrium plasma for the problems of plasma-assisted ignition and plasma-assisted combustion has been observed. A great amount of experimental data has been accumulated during this period which provided the grounds for using low temperature plasma of nonequilibrium gas discharges for a number of applications at conditions of high speed flows and also at conditions similar to automotive engines. The paper is aimed at reviewing the data obtained and discusses their treatment. Basic possibilities of low temperature plasma to ignite gas mixtures are evaluated and historical references highlighting pioneering works in the area are presented. The first part of the review discusses plasmas applied to plasma-assisted ignition and combustion. The paper pays special attention to experimental and theoretical analysis of some plasma parameters, such as reduced electric field, electron density and energy branching for different gas discharges. Streamers, pulsed nanosecond discharges, dielectric barrier discharges, radio frequency discharges and atmospheric pressure glow discharges are considered. The second part depicts applications of discharges to reduce the ignition delay time of combustible mixtures, to ignite transonic and supersonic flows, to intensify ignition and to sustain combustion of lean mixtures. The results obtained by different authors are cited, and ways of numerical modelling are discussed. Finally, the paper draws some conclusions on the main achievements and prospects of future investigations in the field.

Effect of silane concentration on the supersonic combustion of a silane/methane mixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Northam, G. B.; Mclain, A. G.; Pellett, G. L.; Diskin, G. S.

1986-01-01

A series of direct connect combustor tests was conducted to determine the effect of silane concentration on the supersonic combustion characteristics of silane/methane mixtures. Shock tube ignition delay data indicated more than an order of magnitude reduction in ignition delay times for both 10 and 20 percent silane/methane mixtures as compared to methane. The ignition delay time of the 10 percent mixture was only a factor of 2.3 greater than that of the 20 percent mixture. Supersonic combustion tests were conducted with the fuel injected into a model scramjet combustor. The combustor was mounted at the exit of a Mach 2 nozzle and a hydrogen fired heater was used to provide a variation in test gas total temperature. Tests using the 20 percent silane/methane mixture indicated considerable combustion enhancement when compared to methane alone. This mixture had an autoignition total temperature of 1650 R. This autoignition temperature can be contrasted with 2330 R for hydrogen and 1350 R for a 20 percent silane/hydrogen mixture in similar hardware. Methane without the silane additive did not autoignite in this configuration at total temperatures as high as 3900 R, the maximum temperature at which tests were conducted. Supersonic combustion tests with the silane concentration reduced to 10 percent indicated little improvement in combustion performance over pure methane. The addition of 20 percent silane to methane resulted in a pyrophoric fuel with good supersonic combustion performance. Reducing the silane concentration below this level, however, yielded a less pyrophoric fuel that exhibited poor supersonic combustion performance.

Characteristics of the Energetic Igniters Through Integrating B/Ti Nano-Multilayers on TaN Film Bridge.

PubMed

Yan, YiChao; Shi, Wei; Jiang, HongChuan; Cai, XianYao; Deng, XinWu; Xiong, Jie; Zhang, WanLi

2015-12-01

The energetic igniters through integrating B/Ti nano-multilayers on tantalum nitride (TaN) ignition bridge are designed and fabricated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) results show that nitrogen content has a great influence on the crystalline structure and TCR. TaN films under nitrogen ratio of 0.99 % exhibit a near-zero TCR value of approximately 10 ppm/°C. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the layered structure of the B/Ti multilayer films is clearly visible with sharp and smooth interfaces. The electrical explosion characteristics employing a capacitor discharge firing set at the optimized charging voltage of 45 V reveal an excellent explosion performance by (B/Ti) n /TaN integration film bridge with small ignition delay time, high explosion temperature, much more bright flash of light, and much large quantities of the ejected product particles than TaN film bridge.

Experimental investigation of the auto-ignition characteristics of oxygenated reference fuel compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walton, Stephen Michael

The increased use of biofuels presents an opportunity to improve combustion performance while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions. This work focused on improving the fundamental understanding of the auto-ignition chemistry of oxygenated reference fuel compounds. A systematic study of the effects of ester structure on ignition chemistry was performed using the University of Michigan Rapid Compression Facility. The ignition properties of the ester compounds were investigated over a broad range of pressures (P=5-20 atm) and temperatures (T=850-1150 K) which are directly relevant to advanced combustion engine strategies. Ignition delay times for five esters were determined using the RCF. The esters were selected to systematically consider the chemical structure of the compounds. Three esters were saturated: methyl butanoate, butyl methanoate, and ethyl propanoate; and two were unsaturated: methyl crotonate and methyl trans-3-hexenoate. The unsaturated esters were more reactive than their saturated counterparts, with the largest unsaturated ester, methyl trans-3-hexenoate having the highest reactivity. Two isomers of the saturated esters, butyl methanoate and ethyl propanoate, were more reactive than the isomer methyl butanoate. The results are explained if we assume that butyl methanoate and ethyl propanoate form intermediate ring structures which decompose more rapidly than esters such as methyl butanoate, which do not form ring structures. Modeling studies of the reaction chemistry were conducted for methyl butanoate and ethyl propanoate, for which detailed mechanisms were available in the literature. The new experimental data indicated that literature rate coefficients for some of the methyl butanoate/HO2 reactions were too fast. Modifying these within the theoretical uncertainties for the reaction rates, led to excellent agreement between the model predictions and the experimental data. Comparison of the modeling results with the intermediates measured during methyl butanoate ignition indicated that pathways leading to the formation of small hydrocarbons are relatively well represented in the reaction mechanism. The results of this work provide archival benchmark data for improved understanding of the dominant reaction pathways and species controlling the auto-ignition of oxygenated reference fuel compounds. These data also provide a path for continued development of chemical kinetic models to optimize practical combustion systems.

An Investigation to Improve Quality Evaluations of Primers and Propellant for 20mm Munitions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, L. J.; Holmes, C.; McGrory, J.; Schimmel, M. L.

1997-01-01

To reduce the frequency of electrically initiated, 20mm munition hangfires (delayed ignitions), a joint Army/NASA investigation was conducted to recommend quality evaluation improvements for acceptance of both primers and gun propellant. This effort focused only on evaluating ignition and combustion performance as potential causes of hangfires: poor electrical initiation of the primer, low output performance of the primer, low ignition sensitivity of the gun propellant, and the effects of cold temperature. The goal was to determine the "best" of the Army and NASA test methods to assess the functional performance of primers and gun propellants. The approach was to evaluate the performance of both high-quality and deliberately defective primers to challenge the sensitivity of test methods. In addition, the ignition sensitivity of different manufacturing batches of gun propellants was evaluated. The results of the investigation revealed that improvements can be made in functional evaluations that can assist in identifying and reducing ignition and performance variations. The "best" functional evaluation of primers and propellant is achieved through a combination of both Army and NASA test methods. Incorporating the recommendations offered in this report may provide for considerable savings in reducing the number of cartridge firings, while significantly lowering the rejection rate of primer, propellant and cartridge lots. The most probable causes for ignition and combustion-related hangfires were the lack of calcium silicide in the primer mix, a low output performance of primers, and finally, poor ignition sensitivity of gun propellant. Cold temperatures further reduce propellant ignition sensitivity, as well as reducing burn rate and chamber pressures.

Co-combustion characteristics and blending optimization of tobacco stem and high-sulfur bituminous coal based on thermogravimetric and mass spectrometry analyses.

PubMed

Zhang, Kaihua; Zhang, Kai; Cao, Yan; Pan, Wei-ping

2013-03-01

Despite much research on co-combustion of tobacco stem and high-sulfur coal, their blending optimization has not been effectively found. This study investigated the combustion profiles of tobacco stem, high-sulfur bituminous coal and their blends by thermogravimetric analysis. Ignition and burnout performances, heat release performances, and gaseous pollutant emissions were also studied by thermogravimetric and mass spectrometry analyses. The results indicated that combustion of tobacco stem was more complicated than that of high-sulfur bituminous coal, mainly shown as fixed carbon in it was divided into two portions with one early burning and the other delay burning. Ignition and burnout performances, heat release performances, and gaseous pollutant emissions of the blends present variable trends with the increase of tobacco stem content. Taking into account the above three factors, a blending ratio of 0–20% tobacco stem content is conservatively proposed as optimum amount for blending. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coupled nonequilibrium flow, energy and radiation transport for hypersonic planetary entry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frederick, Donald Jerome

An ever increasing demand for energy coupled with a need to mitigate climate change necessitates technology (and lifestyle) changes globally. An aspect of the needed change is a decrease in the amount of anthropogenically generated CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. The decrease needed cannot be expected to be achieved through only one source of change or technology, but rather a portfolio of solutions are needed. One possible technology is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which is likely to play some role due to its combination of mature and promising emerging technologies, such as the burning of hydrogen in gas turbines created by pre-combustion CCS separation processes. Thus research on effective methods of burning turbulent hydrogen jet flames (mimicking gas turbine environments) are needed, both in terms of experimental investigation and model development. The challenge in burning (and modeling the burning of) hydrogen lies in its wide range of flammable conditions, its high diffusivity (often requiring a diluent such as nitrogen to produce a lifted turbulent jet flame), and its behavior under a wide range of pressures. In this work, numerical models are used to simulate the environment of a gas turbine combustion chamber. Concurrent experimental investigations are separately conducted using a vitiated coflow burner (which mimics the gas turbine environment) to guide the numerical work in this dissertation. A variety of models are used to simulate, and occasionally guide, the experiment. On the fundamental side, mixing and chemistry interactions motivated by a H2/N2 jet flame in a vitiated coflow are investigated using a 1-D numerical model for laminar flows and the Linear Eddy Model for turbulent flows. A radial profile of the jet in coflow can be modeled as fuel and oxidizer separated by an initial mixing width. The effects of species diffusion model, pressure, coflow composition, and turbulent mixing on the predicted autoignition delay times and mixture composition at ignition are considered. We find that in laminar simulations the differential diffusion model allows the mixture to autoignite sooner and at a fuel-richer mixture than the equal diffusion model. The effect of turbulence on autoignition is classified in two regimes, which are dependent on a reference laminar autoignition delay and turbulence time scale. For a turbulence timescale larger than the reference laminar autoignition time, turbulence has little influence on autoignition or the mixture at ignition. However, for a turbulence timescale smaller than the reference laminar timescale, the influence of turbulence on autoignition depends on the diffusion model. Differential diffusion simulations show an increase in autoignition delay time and a subsequent change in mixture composition at ignition with increasing turbulence. Equal diffusion simulations suggest the effect of increasing turbulence on autoignition delay time and the mixture fraction at ignition is minimal. More practically, the stabilizing mechanism of a lifted jet flame is thought to be controlled by either autoignition, flame propagation, or a combination of the two. Experimental data for a turbulent hydrogen diluted with nitrogen jet flame in a vitiated coflow at atmospheric pressure, demonstrates distinct stability regimes where the jet flame is either attached, lifted, lifted-unsteady, or blown out. A 1-D parabolic RANS model is used, where turbulence-chemistry interactions are modeled with the joint scalar-PDF approach, and mixing is modeled with the Linear Eddy Model. The model only accounts for autoignition as a flame stabilization mechanism. However, by comparing the local turbulent flame speed to the local turbulent mean velocity, maps of regions where the flame speed is greater than the flow speed are created, which allow an estimate of lift-off heights based on flame propagation. Model results for the attached, lifted, and lifted-unsteady regimes show that the correct trend is captured. Additionally, at lower coflow equivalence ratios flame propagation appears dominant, while at higher coflow equivalence ratios autoignition appears dominant.

Altered combustion characteristics of metallized energetics due to stable secondary material inclusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terry, Brandon C.

Though metals and metalloids have been widely considered as reactive fuels, the ability to tune their ignition and combustion characteristics remains challenging. One means to accomplish this may be through low-level inclusion of secondary materials into the metallized fuel. While there are several potential methods to stably introduce secondary inclusion materials, this work focuses on the use of mechanical activation (MA) and metal alloys. Recent work has shown that low-level inclusion of fluoropolymers into aluminum particles can have a substantial effect on their combustion characteristics. The reflected shock ignition of mechanically activated aluminum/polytetrafluoroethylene (MA Al/PTFE) is compared to a physical mixture (PM) of Al/PTFE, neat spherical aluminum, and flake aluminum. It was found that the powders with higher specific surface areas ignited faster than the spherical particles of the same size, and had ignition delay times comparable to agglomerates of aluminum particles that were two orders of magnitude smaller in size. Flake aluminum powder had the same ignition delay as MA Al/PTFE, indicating that any initial aluminum/fluoropolymer reactions did not yield an earlier onset of aluminum oxidation. However, MA Al/PTFE did have a shorter total burn time. The PM of Al/PTFE powder had a shorter ignition delay than neat spherical aluminum due to the rapid decomposition of PTFE into reactive fluorocarbon compounds, but the subsequent fluorocarbon reactions also created a secondary luminosity profile that significantly increased the total burn time of the system. The explosive shock ignition of aluminum and aluminum-silicon eutectic alloy compacts was evaluated with and without polymer inclusions. A statistical analysis was completed, investigating the effects of: detonation train orientation (into or not into a hard surface); the high explosive driver; whether the metal/polymer system is mechanically activated; particle size; particle morphology (spherical or flake); metal type (Al or Al-Si); and whether the inclusion material is interacting or non-interacting with the parent metal. It was found that mechanically activated particles with an interacting inclusion material (polytetrafluoroethylene) and smaller particle sizes yielded increased blast wave strength, and more complete metal combustion. It was also found that orientation of the detonation train has a substantial effect on the completeness of combustion. While aluminum alloys are generally employed for their structural and mechanical properties, the low-level inclusion of secondary metals and metalloids may make such materials advantageous in propellant formulations and have not been fully considered. The aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) eutectic alloy was evaluated as a potential solid composite propellant fuel. Equilibrium calculations showed that Al-Si based propellants had comparable theoretical performance to equivalent aluminum based propellants, though at a typical specific impulse (ISP) reduction of roughly 2.5 seconds for most mixture ratios of interest. Interacting (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) and non-interacting inclusion materials were mechanically activated (MA) with Al-Si (70/30 wt.% Al-Si/PTFE and 90/10 wt.% Al-Si/LDPE), which were shown to increase the powder reactivity. Neat and MA Al-Si powders were used in 15/71/14 wt.% (fuel additive)/(ammonium perchlorate)/binder propellant formulations. Environmentally cleaner solid composite propellants have been widely investigated as a means to reduce hydrochloric acid (HCl) formation. Past efforts to scavenge the chlorine ion have focused on replacing a portion of the chorine-containing oxidant (i.e., ammonium perchlorate) with an alkali metal nitrate. The alkali metal (e.g., Li or Na) in the nitrate reacts with the chlorine ion to form an alkali metal chloride (i.e., salt). While this technique can potentially reduce HCl formation, it also results in reduced theoretical specific impulse. Thermochemical calculations show that using aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) binary alloy can reduce HCl formation to less than 5% and increase the theoretical ISP by roughly 7 seconds compared to neat aluminum. Two solid propellants were made using 80/20 Al-Li alloy and neat aluminum as fuel additives. It was observed that the propellant combustion with neat aluminum formed large molten droplets at the surface, which is a well-known problem with aluminized propellants. In contrast, the Al-Li propellant formed an Al-Li melt-layer on the propellant surface during combustion. Droplets that were ejected from the melt-layer would typically undergo dispersive boiling or a shattering microexplosion, due to the large disparity in volatility (i.e., boiling points) between the aluminum and the lithium in the molten alloy. The halide scavenging effect of Al-Li propellants was verified using wet bomb combustion experiments. Additionally, no HCl evolution was detected using differential scanning calorimetry coupled with thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared absorption. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Recent results from experimental studies on laser-plasma coupling in a shock ignition relevant regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koester, P.; Antonelli, L.; Atzeni, S.; Badziak, J.; Baffigi, F.; Batani, D.; Cecchetti, C. A.; Chodukowski, T.; Consoli, F.; Cristoforetti, G.; De Angelis, R.; Folpini, G.; Gizzi, L. A.; Kalinowska, Z.; Krousky, E.; Kucharik, M.; Labate, L.; Levato, T.; Liska, R.; Malka, G.; Maheut, Y.; Marocchino, A.; Nicolai, P.; O'Dell, T.; Parys, P.; Pisarczyk, T.; Raczka, P.; Renner, O.; Rhee, Y. J.; Ribeyre, X.; Richetta, M.; Rosinski, M.; Ryc, L.; Skala, J.; Schiavi, A.; Schurtz, G.; Smid, M.; Spindloe, C.; Ullschmied, J.; Wolowski, J.; Zaras, A.

2013-12-01

Shock ignition (SI) is an appealing approach in the inertial confinement scenario for the ignition and burn of a pre-compressed fusion pellet. In this scheme, a strong converging shock is launched by laser irradiation at an intensity Iλ2 > 1015 W cm-2 µm2 at the end of the compression phase. In this intensity regime, laser-plasma interactions are characterized by the onset of a variety of instabilities, including stimulated Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering and the two plasmon decay, accompanied by the generation of a population of fast electrons. The effect of the fast electrons on the efficiency of the shock wave production is investigated in a series of dedicated experiments at the Prague Asterix Laser Facility (PALS). We study the laser-plasma coupling in a SI relevant regime in a planar geometry by creating an extended preformed plasma with a laser beam at ˜7 × 1013 W cm-2 (250 ps, 1315 nm). A strong shock is launched by irradiation with a second laser beam at intensities in the range 1015-1016 W cm-2 (250 ps, 438 nm) at various delays with respect to the first beam. The pre-plasma is characterized using x-ray spectroscopy, ion diagnostics and interferometry. Spectroscopy and calorimetry of the backscattered radiation is performed in the spectral range 250-850 nm, including (3/2)ω, ω and ω/2 emission. The fast electron production is characterized through spectroscopy and imaging of the Kα emission. Information on the shock pressure is obtained using shock breakout chronometry and measurements of the craters produced by the shock in a massive target. Preliminary results show that the backscattered energy is in the range 3-15%, mainly due to backscattered light at the laser wavelength (438 nm), which increases with increasing the delay between the two laser beams. The values of the peak shock pressures inferred from the shock breakout times are lower than expected from 2D numerical simulations. The same simulations reveal that the 2D effects play a major role in these experiments, with the laser spot size comparable with the distance between critical and ablation layers.

A Laser Spark Plug Ignition System for a Stationary Lean-Burn Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McIntyre, D. L.

To meet the ignition system needs of large bore, high pressure, lean burn, natural gas engines a side pumped, passively Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser was developed and tested. The laser was designed to produce the optical intensities needed to initiate ignition in a lean burn, high compression engine. The laser and associated optics were designed with a passive Q-switch to eliminate the need for high voltage signaling and associated equipment. The laser was diode pumped to eliminate the need for high voltage flash lamps which have poor pumping efficiency. The independent and dependent parameters of the laser were identified and exploredmore » in specific combinations that produced consistent robust sparks in laboratory air. Prior research has shown that increasing gas pressure lowers the breakdown threshold for laser initiated ignition. The laser has an overall geometry of 57x57x152 mm with an output beam diameter of approximately 3 mm. The experimentation used a wide range of optical and electrical input parameters that when combined produced ignition in laboratory air. The results show a strong dependence of the output parameters on the output coupler reflectivity, Q-switch initial transmission, and gain media dopant concentration. As these three parameters were lowered the output performance of the laser increased leading to larger more brilliant sparks. The results show peak power levels of up to 3MW and peak focal intensities of up to 560 GW/cm 2. Engine testing was performed on a Ricardo Proteus single cylinder research engine. The goal of the engine testing was to show that the test laser performs identically to the commercially available flashlamp pumped actively Q-switched laser used in previous laser ignition testing. The engine testing consisted of a comparison of the in-cylinder, and emissions behavior of the engine using each of the lasers as an ignition system. All engine parameters were kept as constant as possilbe while the equivalence ratio (fueling), and hence the engine load, was varied between 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0. The test laser was constructed with a 30% output coupler, 32% Q-switch initial transmission, and a 0.5% Nd concentration rod all pumped by approximately 1000 Watts of optical power. The test laser single mode output pulse had an energy of approximately 23 mJ, with a pulsewidth of approximately 10 ns, and an M2 value of 6.55. This output produced focal intensity of approximately 270 GW/cm 2 with the modified on-engine optical arrangement. The commercial laser had similar output parameters and both laser systems operated the engine with similar results. Due to the shortening of the focal length of the on-engine optical setup both laser systems produced a spark well within the optical transfer cavity of the laser optics to spark plug adaptor. This shrouded spark led to a very long ignition delay and retarded combustion timing for all three values of equivalence ratio. This was evidenced by the in-cylinder pressure traces and the HRR waveforms. The emissions data indicate that both lasers produced very similar combustion. The ignition delay caused by the shrouded spark cause most of the combustion to happen after TDC which lead to poor combustion that produced high levels of CO and THC. The novelty of this work lies in the combination of the laser parameters to create a single high peak power laser output pulse for use as a spark ignition source. Similar configurations have been investigated in the literature but for different applications such as multiple output pulse trains for various industrial and communications applications. Another point of novelty is the investigation of the laser medium concentration on the output characteristics of a passively Q-switched laser system. This work has shown that lowering the Neodymium concentration in the active media within a passively Q-switched laser produces higher output energy values. This is significant because an actively Q-switched laser shows the opposite affect when the active ion concentration is varied.« less

Dielectric surface discharges: Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balmain, K. G.; Hirt, W.

1981-01-01

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge.

A comprehensive iso-octane combustion model with improved thermochemistry and chemical kinetics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Atef, Nour; Kukkadapu, Goutham; Mohamed, Samah Y.

Iso-Octane (2,2,4-trimethylpentane) is a primary reference fuel and an important component of gasoline fuels. Furthermore, it is a key component used in surrogates to study the ignition and burning characteristics of gasoline fuels. This paper presents an updated chemical kinetic model for iso-octane combustion. Specifically, the thermodynamic data and reaction kinetics of iso-octane have been re-assessed based on new thermodynamic group values and recently evaluated rate coefficients from the literature. The adopted rate coefficients were either experimentally measured or determined by analogy to theoretically calculated values. New alternative isomerization pathways for peroxy-alkyl hydroperoxide (more » $$\\dot{O}$$OQOOH) radicals were added to the reaction mechanism. The updated kinetic model was compared against new ignition delay data measured in rapid compression machines (RCM) and a high-pressure shock tube. Our experiments were conducted at pressures of 20 and 40 atm, at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.0, and at temperatures in the range of 632–1060 K. The updated model was further compared against shock tube ignition delay times, jet-stirred reactor oxidation speciation data, premixed laminar flame speeds, counterflow diffusion flame ignition, and shock tube pyrolysis speciation data available in the literature. Finally, the updated model was used to investigate the importance of alternative isomerization pathways in the low temperature oxidation of highly branched alkanes. When compared to available models in the literature, the present model represents the current state-of-the-art in fundamental thermochemistry and reaction kinetics of iso-octane; and thus provides the best prediction of wide ranging experimental data and fundamental insights into iso-octane combustion chemistry.« less

A comprehensive iso-octane combustion model with improved thermochemistry and chemical kinetics

DOE PAGES

Atef, Nour; Kukkadapu, Goutham; Mohamed, Samah Y.; ...

2017-02-05

Iso-Octane (2,2,4-trimethylpentane) is a primary reference fuel and an important component of gasoline fuels. Furthermore, it is a key component used in surrogates to study the ignition and burning characteristics of gasoline fuels. This paper presents an updated chemical kinetic model for iso-octane combustion. Specifically, the thermodynamic data and reaction kinetics of iso-octane have been re-assessed based on new thermodynamic group values and recently evaluated rate coefficients from the literature. The adopted rate coefficients were either experimentally measured or determined by analogy to theoretically calculated values. New alternative isomerization pathways for peroxy-alkyl hydroperoxide (more » $$\\dot{O}$$OQOOH) radicals were added to the reaction mechanism. The updated kinetic model was compared against new ignition delay data measured in rapid compression machines (RCM) and a high-pressure shock tube. Our experiments were conducted at pressures of 20 and 40 atm, at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.0, and at temperatures in the range of 632–1060 K. The updated model was further compared against shock tube ignition delay times, jet-stirred reactor oxidation speciation data, premixed laminar flame speeds, counterflow diffusion flame ignition, and shock tube pyrolysis speciation data available in the literature. Finally, the updated model was used to investigate the importance of alternative isomerization pathways in the low temperature oxidation of highly branched alkanes. When compared to available models in the literature, the present model represents the current state-of-the-art in fundamental thermochemistry and reaction kinetics of iso-octane; and thus provides the best prediction of wide ranging experimental data and fundamental insights into iso-octane combustion chemistry.« less

Investigation of Al/CuO multilayered thermite ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicollet, Andréa; Lahiner, Guillaume; Belisario, Andres; Souleille, Sandrine; Djafari-Rouhani, Mehdi; Estève, Alain; Rossi, Carole

2017-01-01

The ignition of the Al/CuO multilayered material is studied experimentally to explore the effects of the heating surface area, layering, and film thickness on the ignition characteristics and reaction performances. After the description of the micro-initiator devices and ignition conditions, we show that the heating surface area must be properly calibrated to optimize the nanothermite ignition performances. We demonstrated experimentally that a heating surface area of 0.25 mm2 is sufficient to ignite a multilayered thermite film of 1.6 mm wide by a few cm long, with a success rate of 100%. A new analytical and phenomenological ignition model based on atomic diffusion across layers and thermal exchange is also proposed. This model considers that CuO first decomposes into Cu2O, and then the oxygen diffuses across the Cu2O and Al2O3 layers before reaching the Al layer, where it reacts to form Al2O3. The theoretical results in terms of ignition response times confirm the experimental observation. The increase of the heating surface area leads to an increase of the ignition response time and ignition power threshold (go/no go condition). We also provide evidence that, for any heating surface area, the ignition time rapidly decreases when the electrical power density increases until an asymptotic value. This time point is referred to as the minimum response ignition time, which is a characteristic of the multilayered thermite itself. At the stoichiometric ratio (Al thickness is half of the CuO thickness), the minimum ignition response time can be easily tuned from 59 μs to 418 ms by tuning the heating surface area. The minimum ignition response time increases when the bilayer thickness increases. This work not only provides a set of micro-initiator design rules to obtain the best ignition conditions and reaction performances but also details a reliable and robust MicroElectroMechanical Systems process to fabricate igniters and brings new understanding of phenomena governing the ignition process of Al/CuO multilayers.

Investigation of Physical and Chemical Delay Periods of Different Fuels in the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-03

International Standard, “ Diesel engines ------ Calibrating nozzle, delay pintle type”. ISO 4010: 1998 (E). (1998). [29] Bogin, G., Dean, A. M., G...tested were ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD), jet propellant-8 (JP-8), two synthetic fuels of Sasol IPK and F-T SPK (S-8). A comparison was made between...1. Introduction The autoignition of fuel-air mixtures in diesel engines has a strong impact on combustion, performance, fuel economy and

Global reaction mechanism for the auto-ignition of full boiling range gasoline and kerosene fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandersickel, A.; Wright, Y. M.; Boulouchos, K.

2013-12-01

Compact reaction schemes capable of predicting auto-ignition are a prerequisite for the development of strategies to control and optimise homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines. In particular for full boiling range fuels exhibiting two stage ignition a tremendous demand exists in the engine development community. The present paper therefore meticulously assesses a previous 7-step reaction scheme developed to predict auto-ignition for four hydrocarbon blends and proposes an important extension of the model constant optimisation procedure, allowing for the model to capture not only ignition delays, but also the evolutions of representative intermediates and heat release rates for a variety of full boiling range fuels. Additionally, an extensive validation of the later evolutions by means of various detailed n-heptane reaction mechanisms from literature has been presented; both for perfectly homogeneous, as well as non-premixed/stratified HCCI conditions. Finally, the models potential to simulate the auto-ignition of various full boiling range fuels is demonstrated by means of experimental shock tube data for six strongly differing fuels, containing e.g. up to 46.7% cyclo-alkanes, 20% napthalenes or complex branched aromatics such as methyl- or ethyl-napthalene. The good predictive capability observed for each of the validation cases as well as the successful parameterisation for each of the six fuels, indicate that the model could, in principle, be applied to any hydrocarbon fuel, providing suitable adjustments to the model parameters are carried out. Combined with the optimisation strategy presented, the model therefore constitutes a major step towards the inclusion of real fuel kinetics into full scale HCCI engine simulations.

Experimental Study of the Influence of the Concentration of Organic Water-Coal Fuel Components on the Integral Ignition Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vershinina, K. Yu.; Kuznetsov, G. V.; Strizhak, P. A.

2017-01-01

To enlarge the power raw material base, the processes of stable initiation of combustion of drops of organic watercoal fuels have been investigated. For the main components, we used filter cakes (coal processing waste), anthracite, bituminous and brown coals of brands D and B2, water, and spent machine, turbine, and transformer oils. We have established the influence of concentrations of components on the minimum (limiting) ignition temperatures of organic water-coal fuels and the ignition delay times of drops of fuel components with initial sizes of 0.25-1.5 mm. Investigations were carried out for oxidizer temperatures of 600-1100 K and its velocities of 0.5-5 m/s characteristic of units, aggregates, and large and small power plants. We have determined the characteristic differences of organic water-coal fuel from water-coal fuel and the close laws of the investigated processes for these fuels.

Verification of kinetic schemes of hydrogen ignition and combustion in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorov, A. V.; Fedorova, N. N.; Vankova, O. S.; Tropin, D. A.

2018-03-01

Three chemical kinetic models for hydrogen combustion in oxygen and three gas-dynamic models for reactive mixture flow behind the initiating SW front were analyzed. The calculated results were compared with experimental data on the dependences of the ignition delay on the temperature and the dilution of the mixture with argon or nitrogen. Based on detailed kinetic mechanisms of nonequilibrium chemical transformations, a mathematical technique for describing the ignition and combustion of hydrogen in air was developed using the ANSYS Fluent code. The problem of ignition of a hydrogen jet fed coaxially into supersonic flow was solved numerically. The calculations were carried out using the Favre-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for a multi-species gas taking into account chemical reactions combined with the k-ω SST turbulence model. The problem was solved in several steps. In the first step, verification of the calculated and experimental data for the three kinetic schemes was performed without considering the conicity of the flow. In the second step, parametric calculations were performed to determine the influence of the conicity of the flow on the mixing and ignition of hydrogen in air using a kinetic scheme consisting of 38 reactions. Three conical supersonic nozzles for a Mach number M = 2 with different expansion angles β = 4°, 4.5°, and 5° were considered.

On the reactivity of methylbenzenes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Silva, Gabriel da; Bozzelli, Joseph W.

2010-11-15

Alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, including the methylbenzenes, are a major and growing component of liquid transportation fuels. Reactivity (or lack thereof) for the methylbenzenes in combustion systems, measured by octane rating, ignition delay, and laminar flame speed, varies widely with the number and position of methyl substituents. At present this behaviour is not fully understood. This study demonstrates how the low temperature and ignition reactivity of methylbenzenes is controlled by the presence of isolated methyl groups and adjacent methyl pairs (the ortho effect); this allows for the development of octane number correlations. Introduction of an isolated methyl group, adjacent only tomore » CH ring sites, consistently increases the research octane number (RON) by around 26. This phenomenon is explained by the formation of relatively unreactive benzyl free radicals. When an adjacent pair of methyl substituents is present the RON consistently decreases by between 8 and 26, compared to the case when these methyl groups are isolated from each other (this effect generally diminishes with increasing degree of substitution). Research octane numbers for all aromatics with zero to three methyl substituents are accurately described by the empirical relationship RON = 98 + 24.2n{sub m} - 25.8n{sub p}, where n{sub m} is the total number of methyl groups and n{sub p} is the number of contiguous adjacent methyl pairs. The ortho effect is attributed to the unique oxidation chemistry of o-methylbenzyl, o-methylbenzoxyl, and o-methylphenyl type radicals here we provide a preliminary exploration of this chemistry and highlight areas requiring further research. It is shown that the o-methylbenzyl radical can react with two oxygen molecules to form 1,2-diformylbenzene + 2OH + H, a highly chain-branching process. This chemistry is expected to largely explain the two-stage ignition and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior witnessed for polymethylbenzenes with adjacent methyl pairs. Similar chain branching mechanisms exist in the oxidation of o-methylbenzoxyl radicals that also form during o-xylene ignition. (author)« less

A comprehensive model to determine the effects of temperature and species fluctuations on reaction rates in turbulent reaction flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Magnotti, F.; Diskin, G.; Matulaitis, J.; Chinitz, W.

1984-01-01

The use of silane (SiH4) as an effective ignitor and flame stabilizing pilot fuel is well documented. A reliable chemical kinetic mechanism for prediction of its behavior at the conditions encountered in the combustor of a SCRAMJET engine was calculated. The effects of hydrogen addition on hydrocarbon ignition and flame stabilization as a means for reduction of lengthy ignition delays and reaction times were studied. The ranges of applicability of chemical kinetic models of hydrogen-air combustors were also investigated. The CHARNAL computer code was applied to the turbulent reaction rate modeling.

A reduced mechanism for biodiesel surrogates with low temperature chemistry for compression ignition engine applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Zhaoyu; Plomer, Max; Lu, Tianfeng; Som, Sibendu; Longman, Douglas E.

2012-04-01

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel for compression ignition (CI) engines. It is a renewable energy source that can be used in these engines without significant alteration in design. The detailed chemical kinetics of biodiesel is however highly complex. In the present study, a skeletal mechanism with 123 species and 394 reactions for a tri-component biodiesel surrogate, which consists of methyl decanoate, methyl 9-decanoate and n-heptane was developed for simulations of 3-D turbulent spray combustion under engine-like conditions. The reduction was based on an improved directed relation graph (DRG) method that is particularly suitable for mechanisms with many isomers, followed by isomer lumping and DRG-aided sensitivity analysis (DRGASA). The reduction was performed for pressures from 1 to 100 atm and equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 2 for both extinction and ignition applications. The initial temperatures for ignition were from 700 to 1800 K. The wide parameter range ensures the applicability of the skeletal mechanism under engine-like conditions. As such the skeletal mechanism is applicable for ignition at both low and high temperatures. Compared with the detailed mechanism that consists of 3299 species and 10806 reactions, the skeletal mechanism features a significant reduction in size while still retaining good accuracy and comprehensiveness. The validations of ignition delay time, flame lift-off length and important species profiles were also performed in 3-D engine simulations and compared with the experimental data from Sandia National Laboratories under CI engine conditions.

The carbon dioxide chaperon efficiency for the reaction H + O2 + M yields HO2 + M from ignition delay times behind reflected shock waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brabbs, Theodore A.; Robertson, Thomas F.

1987-01-01

Ignition delay times for stoichiometric hydrogen-oxygen in argon with and without carbon dioxide were measured behind reflected shock waves. A 20-reaction kinetic mechanism models the measured hydrogen-oxygen delay times over the temperature range 950 to 1300 K. The chaperon efficiency for carbon dioxide determined for the hydrogen-oxygen carbon dioxide mixture was 7.0. This value is in agreement with literature values but much less than a recent value obtained from flow tube experiments. Delay times measured behind a reflected shock wave were about 20% longer than those measured behind incident shock waves. The kinetic mechanism successfully modeled the high-pressure data of Skinner and the hydrogen-air data of Stack. It is suggested that the lowest temperature points for the hydrogen-air data of Slack are unreliable and that the 0.27-atm data may illustrate a case where vibrational relaxation of nitrogen is important. The reaction pathway HO2 yields H2O2 yields OH yields H was required to model the high-pressure data of Skinner. The successful modeling of the stoichiometric hydrogen-air data demonstrates the appropriateness of deriving kinetic models from data for gas mixtures highly diluted with argon. The technique of reducing a detailed kinetic mechanism to only the important reactions for a limited range of experimental data may render the mechanism useless for other test conditions.

On the effect of injection timing on the ignition of lean PRF/air/EGR mixtures under direct dual fuel stratification conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luong, Minh Bau; Sankaran, Ramanan; Yu, Gwang Hyeon

2017-06-09

The ignition characteristics of lean primary reference fuel (PRF)/air/exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mixture under reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) and direct duel fuel stratification (DDFS) conditions are investigated in this paper by 2-D direct numerical simulations (DNSs) with a 116-species reduced chemistry of the PRF oxidation. The 2-D DNSs of the DDFS combustion are performed by varying the injection timing of iso-octane (i-C 8H 18) with a pseudo-iso-octane (PC 8H 18) model together with a novel compression heating model to account for the compression heating and expansion cooling effects of the piston motion in an engine cylinder. The PC 8H 18more » model is newly developed to mimic the timing, duration, and cooling effects of the direct injection of i-C 8H 18 onto a premixed background charge of PRF/air/EGR mixture with composition inhomogeneities. It is found that the RCCI combustion exhibits a very high peak heat release rate (HRR) with a short combustion duration due to the predominance of the spontaneous ignition mode of combustion. However, the DDFS combustion has much lower peak HRR and longer combustion duration regardless of the fuel injection timing compared to those of the RCCI combustion, which is primarily attributed to the sequential injection of i-C 8H 18. It is also found that the ignition delay of the DDFS combustion features a non-monotonic behavior with increasing fuel-injection timing due to the different effect of fuel evaporation on the low-, intermediate-, and high-temperature chemistry of the PRF oxidation. The budget and Damköhler number analyses verify that although a mixed combustion mode of deflagration and spontaneous ignition exists during the early phase of the DDFS combustion, the spontaneous ignition becomes predominant during the main combustion, and hence, the spread-out of heat release rate in the DDFS combustion is mainly governed by the direct injection process of i-C 8H 18. Finally, a misfire is observed for the DDFS combustion when the direct injection of i-C 8H 18 occurs during the intermediate-temperature chemistry (ITC) regime between the first- and second-stage ignition. Finally, this is because the temperature drop induced by the direct injection of i-C 8H 18 impedes the main ITC reactions, and hence, the main combustion fails to occur.« less

Reaction-space analysis of homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with varying levels of fuel stratification under positive and negative valve overlap conditions

DOE PAGES

Kodavasal, Janardhan; Lavoie, George A.; Assanis, Dennis N.; ...

2015-10-26

Full-cycle computational fluid dynamics simulations with gasoline chemical kinetics were performed to determine the impact of breathing and fuel injection strategies on thermal and compositional stratification, combustion and emissions during homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion. The simulations examined positive valve overlap and negative valve overlap strategies, along with fueling by port fuel injection and direct injection. The resulting charge mass distributions were analyzed prior to ignition using ignition delay as a reactivity metric. The reactivity stratification arising from differences in the distributions of fuel–oxygen equivalence ratio (Φ FO), oxygen molar fraction (χ O2) and temperature (T) was determined for threemore » parametric studies. In the first study, the reactivity stratification and burn duration for positive valve overlap valve events with port fuel injection and early direct injection were nearly identical and were dominated by wall-driven thermal stratification. nitrogen oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were negligible for both injection strategies. In the second study, which examined negative valve overlap valve events with direct injection and port fuel injection, reactivity stratification increased for direct injection as the Φ FO and T distributions associated with direct fuel injection into the hot residual gas were positively correlated; however, the latent heat absorbed from the hot residual gas by the evaporating direct injection fuel jet reduced the overall thermal and reactivity stratification. These stratification effects were offsetting, resulting in similar reactivity stratification and burn durations for the two injection strategies. The higher local burned gas temperatures with direct injection resulted in an order of magnitude increase in NO, while incomplete combustion of locally over-lean regions led to a sevenfold increase in CO emissions compared to port fuel injection. The final study evaluated positive valve overlap and negative valve overlap valve events with direct injection. Furthermore, relative to positive valve overlap, the negative valve overlap condition had a wider reactivity stratification, a longer burn duration and higher NO and CO emissions associated with reduced fuel–air mixing.« less

The effect of fire retardants on the fire response characteristics of cellulosic materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilado, C. J.; Brauer, D. P.

1978-01-01

The resistance to ignition of fire retardant-treated wood, cotton, and cellulose insulation was studied. The proprietary composition used to treat wood was found to increase resistance to ignition and to reduce smoke toxicity. Cotton treated with boric acid (added by padding on or by vapor phase process) was found to have increased resistance to ignition and decreased smoke toxicity. Boric acid increased the resistance of cellulose insulation to ignition but also slightly increased the smoke toxicity.

Microexplosions and ignition dynamics in engineered aluminum/polymer fuel particles

DOE PAGES

Rubio, Mario A.; Gunduz, I. Emre; Groven, Lori J.; ...

2016-11-11

Aluminum particles are widely used as a metal fuel in solid propellants. However, poor combustion efficiencies and two-phase flow losses result due in part to particle agglomeration. Engineered composite particles of aluminum (Al) with inclusions of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have been shown to improve ignition and yield smaller agglomerates in solid propellants, recently. Reductions in agglomeration were attributed to internal pressurization and fragmentation (microexplosions) of the composite particles at the propellant surface. We explore the mechanisms responsible for microexplosions in order to better understand the combustion characteristics of composite fuel particles. Single composite particles of Al/PTFE andmore » Al/LDPE with diameters between 100 and 1200 µm are ignited on a substrate to mimic a burning propellant surface in a controlled environment using a CO 2 laser in the irradiance range of 78–7700 W/cm 2. Furthermore, the effects of particle size, milling time, and inclusion content on the resulting ignition delay, product particle size distributions, and microexplosion tendencies are reported. For example particles with higher PTFE content (30 wt%) had laser flux ignition thresholds as low as 77 W/cm 2, exhibiting more burning particle dispersion due to microexplosions compared to the other materials considered. Composite Al/LDPE particles exhibit relatively high ignition thresholds compared to Al/PTFE particles, and microexplosions were observed only with laser fluxes above 5500 W/cm 2 due to low LDPE reactivity with Al resulting in negligible particle self-heating. However, results show that microexplosions can occur for Al containing both low and high reactivity inclusions (LDPE and PTFE, respectively) and that polymer inclusions can be used to tailor the ignition threshold. Furthermore, this class of modified metal particles shows significant promise for application in many different energetic materials that use metal fuels.« less

Dielectric surface discharges - Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balmain, K. G.; Hirt, W.

1983-01-01

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge. Previously announced in STAR as N82-14222

Experimental and Numerical Study on Effect of Sample Orientation on Auto-Ignition and Piloted Ignition of Poly(methyl methacrylate)

PubMed Central

Peng, Fei; Zhou, Xiao-Dong; Zhao, Kun; Wu, Zhi-Bo; Yang, Li-Zhong

2015-01-01

In this work, the effect of seven different sample orientations from 0° to 90° on pilot and non-pilot ignition of PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate)) exposed to radiation has been studied with experimental and numerical methods. Some new and significant conclusions are drawn from the study, including a U-shape curve of ignition time and critical mass flux as sample angle increases for pilot ignition conditions. However, in auto-ignition, the ignition time and critical mass flux increases with sample angle α. Furthermore, a computational fluid dynamic model have been built based on the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS6) code to investigate the mechanisms controlling the dependence on sample orientation of the ignition of PMMA under external radiant heating. The results of theoretical analysis and modeling results indicate the decrease of total incident heat flux at sample surface plays the dominant role during the ignition processes of auto-ignition, but the volatiles gas flow has greater influence for piloted ignition conditions. PMID:28793421

Laser ignition of an experimental combustion chamber with a multi-injector configuration at low pressure conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Börner, Michael; Manfletti, Chiara; Kroupa, Gerhard; Oschwald, Michael

2017-09-01

In search of reliable and light-weight ignition systems for re-ignitable upper stage engines, a laser ignition system was adapted and tested on an experimental combustion chamber for propellant injection into low combustion chamber pressures at 50-80 mbar. The injector head pattern consisted of five coaxial injector elements. Both, laser-ablation-driven ignition and laser-plasma-driven ignition were tested for the propellant combination liquid oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. The 122 test runs demonstrated the reliability of the ignition system for different ignition configurations and negligible degradation due to testing. For the laser-plasma-driven scheme, minimum laser pulse energies needed for 100% ignition probability were found to decrease when increasing the distance of the ignition location from the injector faceplate with a minimum of 2.6 mJ. For laser-ablation-driven ignition, the minimum pulse energy was found to be independent of the ablation material tested and was about 1.7 mJ. The ignition process was characterized using both high-speed Schlieren and OH* emission diagnostics. Based on these findings and on the increased fiber-based pulse transport capabilities recently published, new ignition system configurations for space propulsion systems relying on fiber-based pulse delivery are formulated. If the laser ignition system delivers enough pulse energy, the laser-plasma-driven configuration represents the more versatile configuration. If the laser ignition pulse power is limited, the application of laser-ablation-driven ignition is an option to realize ignition, but implies restrictions concerning the location of ignition.

Non-equilibrium kinetics of plasma-assisted combustion: the role of electronically excited atoms and molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popov, Nikolay

2016-09-01

A review of experimental and theoretical investigations of the effect of electronically excited atoms and molecules on the induction delay time and on the shift of the ignition temperature threshold of combustible mixtures is presented. At relatively low initial gas temperature, the effect of excited O(1D) atoms on the oxidation and reforming of combustible mixtures is quite significant due to the high rates of reactions of O(1D) atoms with hydrogen and hydrocarbon molecules. The singlet oxygen molecules, O2(a1Δg) , participate both in chain initiation and chain branching reactions, but the effect of O2(a1Δg) in the ignition processes is generally less important compared to the oxygen atoms. To reduce the ignition delay time and decrease the temperature threshold of fuel-air mixtures, the use of gas discharges with relatively high E/N values is recommended. In this case the reactions of electronically excited N2(A3Σu+ , B3πg , C3πu , a'1Σu-) molecules, and atomic particles in ground and electronically excited states are extremely important. The energy stored in electronic excitation of atoms and molecules is spent on the additional dissociation of oxygen and fuel molecules, on the fast gas heating, and finally to the triggering of chain branching reactions. This work was partially supported by AOARD AFOSR, FA2386-13-1-4064 grant and Linked International Laboratory LIA KaPPA (France-Russia).

An experimental investigation of the smoldering combustion of cotton with different moisture contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wendong; Liu, Wanfu; Ni, Zhaopeng; Wang, Lu; Gao, Bo

2018-03-01

Cotton is an inflammable substance that can be ignited by a weak ignition source. Since, cotton fiber is typically removed from cottonseed, compressed into bales and stored in the warehouse for extended periods of time, the moisture content is a very important characteristic of cotton. In this study, the effect of moisture content on cotton smoldering combustion was studied experimentally by characterizing cotton samples with different moisture contents. The results showed that the higher moisture content of cotton delayed the smoldering combustion process of cotton and prolonged the duration of high temperature of cotton smoldering. And we could find that when the moisture content is higher than 10%, the characteristics of smoldering change obviously.

40 CFR 1054.145 - Are there interim provisions that apply only for a limited time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...-IGNITION ENGINES AND EQUIPMENT Emission Standards and Related Requirements § 1054.145 Are there interim... Phase 3 implementation for engine manufacturers. Small-volume engine manufacturers may delay complying... II engines and until 2014 for Class I engines. The running loss standards in § 1054.112 also do not...

Ignition Delay Properties of Alternative Fuels with Navy-Relevant Diesel Injectors

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

of Injection ....................................................35 a. Pressure Sensors ...control the products from the preburn reaction. Because data collection relied on high-speed imaging, it was essential that soot and other...bomb testing. The mixture reacts easily, and yields the required high pressures and temperatures. It also burns completely clean, meaning that no soot

Mixing Enhancement in a Lobed Injector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, L. L.; Majamaki, A. J.; Lam, I. T.; Delabroy, O.; Karagozian, A. R.; Marble, F. E.; Smith, O. I.

1997-01-01

An experimental investigation of the non-reactive mixing processes associated with a lobed fuel injector in a coflowing air stream is presented. The lobed fuel injector is a device which generates streamwise vorticity, producing high strain rates which can enhance the mixing of reactants while delaying ignition in a controlled manner. The lobed injectors examined in the present study consist of two corrugated plates between which a fuel surrogate, CO2, is injected into coflowing air. Acetone is seeded in the CO2 supply as a fuel marker. Comparison of two alternative lobed injector geometries is made with a straight fuel injector to determine net differences in mixing and strain fields due to streamwise vorticity generation. Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of the seeded acetone yields two-dimensional images of the scalar concentration field at various downstream locations, from which local mixing and scalar dissipation rates are computed. It is found that the lobed injector geometry can enhance molecular mixing and create a highly strained flowfield, and that the strain rates generated by scalar energy dissipation can potentially delay ignition in a reacting flowfield.

Dopant-induced ignition of helium nanoplasmas—a mechanistic study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heidenreich, Andreas; Schomas, Dominik; Mudrich, Marcel

2017-12-01

Helium (He) nanodroplets irradiated by intense near-infrared laser pulses form a nanoplasma by avalanche-like electron impact ionizations (EIIs) even at lower laser intensities where He is not directly field ionized, provided that the droplets contain a few dopant atoms which provide seed electrons for the EII avalanche. In this theoretical paper on calcium and xenon doped He droplets we elucidate the mechanism which induces ionization avalanches, termed ignition. We find that the partial loss of seed electrons from the activated droplets starkly assists ignition, as the Coulomb barrier for ionization of helium is lowered by the electric field of the dopant cations, and this deshielding of the cation charges enhances their electric field. In addition, the dopant ions assist the acceleration of the seed electrons (slingshot effect) by the laser field, supporting EIIs of He and also causing electron loss by catapulting electrons away. The dopants’ ability to lower the Coulomb barriers at He as well as the slingshot effect decrease with the spatial expansion of the dopant, causing a dependence of the dopants’ ignition capability on the dopant mass. Here, we develop criteria (impact count functions) to assess the ignition capability of dopants, based on (i) the spatial overlap of the seed electron cloud with the He atoms and (ii) the overlap of their kinetic energy distribution with the distribution of Coulomb barrier heights at He. The relatively long time delays between the instants of dopant ionization and ignition (incubation times) for calcium doped droplets are determined to a large extent by the time it takes to deshield the dopant ions.

Material Ignition and Suppression Test (MIST) in Space Exploration Atmospheres, Summary of Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez-Pello, Carlos

2013-01-01

The Material Ignition and Suppression Test (MIST) project has had the objective of evaluating the ease of ignition and the fire suppression of materials used in spacecraft under environmental condition expected in a spacecraft. For this purpose, an experimental and theoretical research program is being conducted on the effect of space exploration atmospheres (SEA) on the piloted ignition of representative combustible materials, and on their fire suppression characteristics. The experimental apparatus and test methodology is derived from the Forced Ignition and Flame Spread Test (FIST), a well-developed bench scale test designed to extract material properties relevant to prediction of material flammability. In the FIST test, materials are exposed to an external radiant flux and the ignition delay and critical mass flux at ignition are determined as a function of the type of material and environmental conditions. In the original MIST design, a small-scale cylindrical flow duct with fuel samples attached to its inside wall was heated by a cylindrical heater located at the central axis of the cylinder. However, as the project evolved it was decided by NASA that it would be better to produce an experimental design that could accommodate other experiments with different experimental concepts. Based on those instructions and input from the requirements of other researchers that may share the hardware in an ISS/CIR experiment, a cylindrical design based on placing the sample at the center of an optically transparent tube with heaters equally spaced along the exterior of the cylinder was developed. Piloted ignition is attained by a hot wire igniter downstream of the fuel sample. Environment variables that can be studied via this experimental apparatus include: external radiant flux, oxidizer oxygen concentration, flow velocity, ambient pressure, and gravity level (if flown in the ISS/CIR). This constitutes the current experimental design, which maintains fairly good consistency with Dr Tien's and Dr Olson's project approaches. A further goal of the project has been to develop a combined solid/gas phase numerical model based on the MIST test methodology to predict the flammability behavior of practical materials in spacecraft.

Tree mortality following a drought-year lightning ignition in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas: 2 years postburn

Treesearch

Virginia L. McDaniel; James M. Guldin; Nancy E. Koerth; Jason E. Milks; Rebecca J. Finzer; Ben F. Rowland

2016-01-01

Increasingly, fire managers are using natural ignitions in conjunction with prescribed burns to restore and maintain fire-adapted ecosystems. Increased fuel loading from fire suppression and increasing drought indices associated with climate change, however, may cause natural ignitions to burn with greater intensity and severity. Managers must weigh risk factors versus...

Research on EHN additive on the diesel engine combustion characteristics in plateau environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Zhixin; Li, Ruoting; Wang, Xiancheng; Hu, Chuan

2017-03-01

Aiming at the combustion deterioration problem of diesel engine in plateau environment, a bench test was carried out for the effects of EHN additive on combustion characteristics of the diesel engine with intake pressure of 0.68 kPa. Test results showed that with the full load working condition of 1 400 r/min: Cylinder pressure and pressure uprising rate decreased with EHN additive added in, mechanical load on the engine could be relieved; peak value of the heat release rate decreased and its occurrence advanced, ignition delay and combustion duration were shortened; cylinder temperature and exhaust gas temperature declined, thermal load on the engine could be relieved, output torque increased while specific oil consumption decreased, and effective thermal efficiency of diesel engine increased.

Experimental investigations of the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of inert and combustible dust cloud mixtures.

PubMed

Addai, Emmanuel Kwasi; Gabel, Dieter; Krause, Ulrich

2016-04-15

The risks associated with dust explosions still exist in industries that either process or handle combustible dust. This explosion risk could be prevented or mitigated by applying the principle of inherent safety (moderation). This is achieved by adding an inert material to a highly combustible material in order to decrease the ignition sensitivity of the combustible dust. The presented paper deals with the experimental investigation of the influence of adding an inert dust on the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of the combustible/inert dust mixtures. The experimental investigation was done in two laboratory scale equipment: the Hartmann apparatus and the Godbert-Greenwald furnace for the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature test respectively. This was achieved by mixing various amounts of three inert materials (magnesium oxide, ammonium sulphate and sand) and six combustible dusts (brown coal, lycopodium, toner, niacin, corn starch and high density polyethylene). Generally, increasing the inert materials concentration increases the minimum ignition energy as well as the minimum ignition temperatures until a threshold is reached where no ignition was obtained. The permissible range for the inert mixture to minimize the ignition risk lies between 60 to 80%. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spark ignition of flowing gases I : energies to ignite propane-air mixtures in pressure range of 2 to 4 inches mercury absolute

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swett, Clyde C , Jr

1949-01-01

Ignition studies of flowing gases were made to obtain information applicable to ignition problems in gas-turbine and ram-jet aircraft propulsion systems operating at altitude conditions.Spark energies required for ignition of a flowing propane-air mixture were determined for pressure of 2 to 4 inches mercury absolute, gas velocities of 5.0 to 54.2 feet per second, fuel-air ratios of 0.0607 to 0.1245, and spark durations of 1.5 to 24,400 microseconds. The results showed that at a pressure of 3 inches mercury absolute the minimum energy required for ignition occurred at fuel-air ratios of 0.08 to 0.095. The energy required for ignition increased almost linearly with increasing gas velocity. Shortening the spark duration from approximately 25,000 to 125 microseconds decreased the amount of energy required for ignition. A spark produced by the discharge of a condenser directly into the spark gap and having a duration of 1.5 microseconds required ignition energies larger than most of the long-duration sparks.

Climate, lightning ignitions, and fire severity in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lutz, J.A.; van Wagtendonk, J.W.; Thode, A.E.; Miller, J.D.; Franklin, J.F.

2009-01-01

Continental-scale studies of western North America have attributed recent increases in annual area burned and fire size to a warming climate, but these studies have focussed on large fires and have left the issues of fire severity and ignition frequency unaddressed. Lightning ignitions, any of which could burn a large area given appropriate conditions for fire spread, could be the first indication of more frequent fire. We examined the relationship between snowpack and the ignition and size of fires that occurred in Yosemite National Park, California (area 3027 km2), between 1984 and 2005. During this period, 1870 fires burned 77 718 ha. Decreased spring snowpack exponentially increased the number of lightning-ignited fires. Snowpack mediated lightning-ignited fires by decreasing the proportion of lightning strikes that caused lightning-ignited fires and through fewer lightning strikes in years with deep snowpack. We also quantified fire severity for the 103 fires >40 ha with satellite fire-severity indices using 23 years of Landsat Thematic Mapper data. The proportion of the landscape that burned at higher severities and the complexity of higher-severity burn patches increased with the log10 of annual area burned. Using one snowpack forecast, we project that the number of lightning-ignited fires will increase 19.1% by 2020 to 2049 and the annual area burned at high severity will increase 21.9%. Climate-induced decreases in snowpack and the concomitant increase in fire severity suggest that existing assumptions may be understated-fires may become more frequent and more severe. ?? IAWF 2009.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rubio, Mario A.; Gunduz, I. Emre; Groven, Lori J.

Aluminum particles are widely used as a metal fuel in solid propellants. However, poor combustion efficiencies and two-phase flow losses result due in part to particle agglomeration. Engineered composite particles of aluminum (Al) with inclusions of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have been shown to improve ignition and yield smaller agglomerates in solid propellants, recently. Reductions in agglomeration were attributed to internal pressurization and fragmentation (microexplosions) of the composite particles at the propellant surface. We explore the mechanisms responsible for microexplosions in order to better understand the combustion characteristics of composite fuel particles. Single composite particles of Al/PTFE andmore » Al/LDPE with diameters between 100 and 1200 µm are ignited on a substrate to mimic a burning propellant surface in a controlled environment using a CO 2 laser in the irradiance range of 78–7700 W/cm 2. Furthermore, the effects of particle size, milling time, and inclusion content on the resulting ignition delay, product particle size distributions, and microexplosion tendencies are reported. For example particles with higher PTFE content (30 wt%) had laser flux ignition thresholds as low as 77 W/cm 2, exhibiting more burning particle dispersion due to microexplosions compared to the other materials considered. Composite Al/LDPE particles exhibit relatively high ignition thresholds compared to Al/PTFE particles, and microexplosions were observed only with laser fluxes above 5500 W/cm 2 due to low LDPE reactivity with Al resulting in negligible particle self-heating. However, results show that microexplosions can occur for Al containing both low and high reactivity inclusions (LDPE and PTFE, respectively) and that polymer inclusions can be used to tailor the ignition threshold. Furthermore, this class of modified metal particles shows significant promise for application in many different energetic materials that use metal fuels.« less

Localized microwave pulsed plasmas for ignition and flame front enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michael, James Bennett

Modern combustor technologies require the ability to match operational parameters to rapidly changing demands. Challenges include variable power output requirements, variations in air and fuel streams, the requirement for rapid and well-controlled ignition, and the need for reliability at low fuel mixture fractions. Work on subcritical microwave coupling to flames and to weakly ionized laser-generated plasmas has been undertaken to investigate the potential for pulsed microwaves to allow rapid combustion control, volumetric ignition, and leaner combustion. Two strategies are investigated. First, subcritical microwaves are coupled to femtosecond laser-generated ionization to ignite methane/air mixtures in a quasi-volumetric fashion. Total energy levels are comparable to the total minimum ignition energies for laser and spark discharges, but the combined strategy allows a 90 percent reduction in the required laser energy. In addition, well-defined multi-dimensional ignition patterns are designated with multiple laser passes. Second, microwave pulse coupling to laminar flame fronts is achieved through interaction with chemiionization-produced electrons in the reaction zone. This energy deposition remains well-localized for a single microwave pulse, resulting in rapid temperature rises of greater than 200 K and maintaining flame propagation in extremely lean methane/air mixtures. The lean flammability limit in methane/air mixtures with microwave coupling has been decreased from an equivalence ratio 0.6 to 0.3. Additionally, a diagnostic technique for laser tagging of nitrogen for velocity measurements is presented. The femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (FLEET) technique utilizes a 120 fs laser to dissociate nitrogen along a laser line. The relatively long-lived emission from recombining nitrogen atoms is imaged with a delayed and fast-gated camera to measure instantaneous velocities. The emission strength and lifetime in air and pure nitrogen allow instantaneous velocity measurements. FLEET is shown to perform in high temperature and reactive mixtures.

Impact Ignition of Low Density Mechanically Activated and Multilayer Foil Ni/Al

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beason, Matthew; Mason, B.; Son, Steven; Groven, Lori

2013-06-01

Mechanical activation (MA) via milling of reactive materials provides a means of lowering the ignition threshold of shock initiated reactions. This treatment provides a finely mixed microstructure with wide variation in the resulting scales of the intraparticle microstructure that makes model validation difficult. In this work we consider nanofoils produced through vapor deposition with well defined periodicity and a similar degree of fine scale mixing. This allows experiments that may be easier to compare with computational models. To achieve this, both equimolar Ni/Al powder that has undergone MA using high energy ball milling and nanofoils milled into a powder using low energy ball milling were used. The Asay Shear impact experiment was conducted on both MA Ni/Al and Ni/Al nanofoil-based powders at low densities (<60%) to examine their impact response and reaction behavior. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were used to verify the microstructure of the materials. The materials' mechanical properties were evaluated using nano-indentation. Onset temperatures were evaluated using differential thermal analysis/differential scanning calorimetry. Impact ignition thresholds, burning rates, temperature field, and ignition delays are reported. Funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Grant Number HDTRA1-10-1-0119. Counter-WMD basic research program, Dr. Suhithi M. Peiris, program director is gratefully acknowledged.

A Multicomponent Blend as a Diesel Fuel Surrogate for Compression Ignition Engine Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pei, Yuanjiang; Mehl, Marco; Liu, Wei

A mixture of n-dodecane and m-xylene is investigated as a diesel fuel surrogate for compression ignition engine applications. Compared to neat n-dodecane, this binary mixture is more representative of diesel fuel because it contains an alkyl-benzene which represents an important chemical class present in diesel fuels. A detailed multi-component mechanism for n-dodecane and m-xylene was developed by combining a previously developed n-dodecane mechanism with a recently developed mechanism for xylenes. The xylene mechanism is shown to reproduce experimental ignition data from a rapid compression machine and shock tube, speciation data from the jet stirred reactor and flame speed data. Thismore » combined mechanism was validated by comparing predictions from the model with experimental data for ignition in shock tubes and for reactivity in a flow reactor. The combined mechanism, consisting of 2885 species and 11754 reactions, was reduced to a skeletal mechanism consisting 163 species and 887 reactions for 3D diesel engine simulations. The mechanism reduction was performed using directed relation graph (DRG) with expert knowledge (DRG-X) and DRG-aided sensitivity analysis (DRGASA) at a fixed fuel composition of 77% of n-dodecane and 23% m-xylene by volume. The sample space for the reduction covered pressure of 1 – 80 bar, equivalence ratio of 0.5 – 2.0, and initial temperature of 700 – 1600 K for ignition. The skeletal mechanism was compared with the detailed mechanism for ignition and flow reactor predictions. Finally, the skeletal mechanism was validated against a spray flame dataset under diesel engine conditions documented on the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) website. These multi-dimensional simulations were performed using a Representative Interactive Flame (RIF) turbulent combustion model. Encouraging results were obtained compared to the experiments with regards to the predictions of ignition delay and lift-off length at different ambient temperatures.« less

Detailed kinetic modeling study of n-pentanol oxidation

DOE PAGES

Heufer, K. Alexander; Sarathy, S. Mani; Curran, Henry J.; ...

2012-09-28

To help overcome the world’s dependence upon fossil fuels, suitable biofuels are promising alternatives that can be used in the transportation sector. Recent research on internal combustion engines shows that short alcoholic fuels (e.g., ethanol or n-butanol) have reduced pollutant emissions and increased knock resistance compared to fossil fuels. Although higher molecular weight alcohols (e.g., n-pentanol and n-hexanol) exhibit higher reactivity that lowers their knock resistance, they are suitable for diesel engines or advanced engine concepts, such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), where higher reactivity at lower temperatures is necessary for engine operation. The present study presents a detailedmore » kinetic model for n-pentanol based on modeling rules previously presented for n-butanol. This approach was initially validated using quantum chemistry calculations to verify the most stable n-pentanol conformation and to obtain C–H and C–C bond dissociation energies. In addition, the proposed model has been validated against ignition delay time data, speciation data from a jet-stirred reactor, and laminar flame velocity measurements. Overall, the model shows good agreement with the experiments and permits a detailed discussion of the differences between alcohols and alkanes.« less

Effects of Fuel Temperature on Injection Process and Combustion of Dimethyl Ether Engine.

PubMed

Guangxin, Gao; Zhulin, Yuan; Apeng, Zhou; Shenghua, Liu; Yanju, Wei

2013-12-01

To investigate the effects of fuel temperature on the injection process in the fuel-injection pipe and the combustion characteristics of compression ignition (CI) engine, tests on a four stroke, direct injection dimethyl ether (DME) engine were conducted. Experimental results show that as the fuel temperature increases from 20 to 40 °C, the sound speed is decreased by 12.2%, the peak line pressure at pump and nozzle sides are decreased by 7.2% and 5.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the injection timing is retarded by 2.2 °CA and the injection duration is extended by 0.8 °CA. Accordingly, the ignition delay and the combustion duration are extended by 0.7 °CA and 4.0 °CA, respectively. The cylinder peak pressure is decreased by 5.4%. As a result, the effective thermal efficiency is decreased, especially for temperature above 40 °C. Before beginning an experiment, the fuel properties of DME, including the density, the bulk modulus, and the sound speed were calculated by "ThermoData." The calculated result of sound speed is consistent with the experimental results.

Experimental study on the minimum ignition temperature of coal dust clouds in oxy-fuel combustion atmospheres.

PubMed

Wu, Dejian; Norman, Frederik; Verplaetsen, Filip; Van den Bulck, Eric

2016-04-15

BAM furnace apparatus tests were conducted to investigate the minimum ignition temperature of coal dusts (MITC) in O2/CO2 atmospheres with an O2 mole fraction from 20 to 50%. Three coal dusts: Indonesian Sebuku coal, Pittsburgh No.8 coal and South African coal were tested. Experimental results showed that the dust explosion risk increases significantly with increasing O2 mole fraction by reducing the minimum ignition temperature for the three tested coal dust clouds dramatically (even by 100°C). Compared with conventional combustion, the inhibiting effect of CO2 was found to be comparatively large in dust clouds, particularly for the coal dusts with high volatile content. The retardation effect of the moisture content on the ignition of dust clouds was also found to be pronounced. In addition, a modified steady-state mathematical model based on heterogeneous reaction was proposed to interpret the observed experimental phenomena and to estimate the ignition mechanism of coal dust clouds under minimum ignition temperature conditions. The analysis revealed that heterogeneous ignition dominates the ignition mechanism for sub-/bituminous coal dusts under minimum ignition temperature conditions, but the decrease of coal maturity facilitates homogeneous ignition. These results improve our understanding of the ignition behaviour and the explosion risk of coal dust clouds in oxy-fuel combustion atmospheres. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ignition study of a petrol/CNG single cylinder engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, N.; Saleem, Z.; Mirza, A. A.

2005-11-01

Benefits of laser ignition over the electrical ignition system for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines have fuelled automobile industry and led to an extensive research on basic characteristics to switch over to the emerging technologies. This study was undertaken to determine the electrical and physical characteristics of the electric spark ignition of single cylinder petrol/CNG engine to determine minimum ignition requirements and timeline of ignition events to use in subsequent laser ignition study. This communication briefly reviews the ongoing research activities and reports the results of this experimental study. The premixed petrol and CNG mixtures were tested for variation of current and voltage characteristics of the spark with speed of engine. The current magnitude of discharge circuit was found to vary linearly over a wide range of speed but the stroke to stroke fire time was found to vary nonlinearly. The DC voltage profiles were observed to fluctuate randomly during ignition process and staying constant in rest of the combustion cycle. Fire to fire peaks of current amplitudes fluctuated up to 10% of the peak values at constant speed but increased almost linearly with increase in speed. Technical barriers of laser ignition related to threshold minimum ignition energy, inter-pulse durations and firing sequence are discussed. Present findings provide a basic initiative and background information for designing suitable timeline algorithms for laser ignited leaner direct injected CNG engines.

Kinetic modelling of the oxidation of large aliphatic hydrocarbons using an automatic mechanism generation.

PubMed

Muharam, Yuswan; Warnatz, Jürgen

2007-08-21

A mechanism generator code to automatically generate mechanisms for the oxidation of large hydrocarbons has been successfully modified and considerably expanded in this work. The modification was through (1) improvement of the existing rules such as cyclic-ether reactions and aldehyde reactions, (2) inclusion of some additional rules to the code, such as ketone reactions, hydroperoxy cyclic-ether formations and additional reactions of alkenes, (3) inclusion of small oxygenates, produced by the code but not included in the handwritten C(1)-C(4) sub-mechanism yet, to the handwritten C(1)-C(4) sub-mechanism. In order to evaluate mechanisms generated by the code, simulations of observed results in different experimental environments have been carried out. Experimentally derived and numerically predicted ignition delays of n-heptane-air and n-decane-air mixtures in high-pressure shock tubes in a wide range of temperatures, pressures and equivalence ratios agree very well. Concentration profiles of the main products and intermediates of n-heptane and n-decane oxidation in jet-stirred reactors at a wide range of temperatures and equivalence ratios are generally well reproduced. In addition, the ignition delay times of different normal alkanes was numerically studied.

Shock tube and chemical kinetic modeling study of the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylfuran.

PubMed

Sirjean, Baptiste; Fournet, René; Glaude, Pierre-Alexandre; Battin-Leclerc, Frédérique; Wang, Weijing; Oehlschlaeger, Matthew A

2013-02-21

A detailed kinetic model describing the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), a potential second-generation biofuel, is proposed. The kinetic model is based upon quantum chemical calculations for the initial DMF consumption reactions and important reactions of intermediates. The model is validated by comparison to new DMF shock tube ignition delay time measurements (over the temperature range 1300-1831 K and at nominal pressures of 1 and 4 bar) and the DMF pyrolysis speciation measurements of Lifshitz et al. [ J. Phys. Chem. A 1998 , 102 ( 52 ), 10655 - 10670 ]. Globally, modeling predictions are in good agreement with the considered experimental targets. In particular, ignition delay times are predicted well by the new model, with model-experiment deviations of at most a factor of 2, and DMF pyrolysis conversion is predicted well, to within experimental scatter of the Lifshitz et al. data. Additionally, comparisons of measured and model predicted pyrolysis speciation provides validation of theoretically calculated channels for the oxidation of DMF. Sensitivity and reaction flux analyses highlight important reactions as well as the primary reaction pathways responsible for the decomposition of DMF and formation and destruction of key intermediate and product species.

Determining Acceptable Limits of Fast-Electron Preheat in Polar-Drive-Ignition Designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delettrez, J. A.; Collins, T. J. B.; Ye, C.

2014-10-01

In direct-drive-ignition designs, preheat by fast electrons created by the two-plasmon-decay instability at the quarter-critical density surface can increase the adiabat in the fuel layer and prevent ignition. Since eliminating the preheat entirely is not possible, it is necessary to understand the levels of preheat our targets can withstand before ignition is precluded. The current polar-drive point design is used as the basis for examining the effects of increasing the levels of fast electrons using the one-dimensional, radiation-hydrodynamics code LILAC. Once ignition failure is obtained, the design is then reoptimized using Telios, a downhill simplex method program, to recover ignition. This cycle is repeated until the design can no longer be reoptimized to produce ignition. Mappings of these final results provide insight into ignition failure caused by preheat and what specific target parameters serve to best stave off the effects of the preheat. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Formulation reproducing the ignition delays simulated by a detailed mechanism: Application to n-heptane combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Imbert, Bruno; Lafosse, Fabien; Catoire, Laurent

2008-11-15

This article is part of the project to model the kinetics of high-temperature combustions, occurring behind shock waves and in detonation waves. The ''conventional'' semi-empirical correlations of ignition delays have been reformulated, by keeping the Arrhenius equation form. It is shown how a polynomial with 3{sup N} coefficients (where N element of is the number of adjustable kinetic parameters, likely to be simultaneously chosen among the temperature T, the pressure P, the inert fraction X{sub Ar}, and the equivalence ratio {phi}) can reproduce the delays predicted by the Curran et al. [H.J. Curran, P. Gaffuri, W.J. Pitz, C.K. Westbrook, Combust.more » Flame 129 (2002) 253-280] detailed mechanism (565 species and 2538 reactions), over a wide range of conditions (comparable with the validity domain). The deviations between the simulated times and their fits (typically 1%) are definitely lower than the uncertainties related to the mechanism (at least 25%). In addition, using this new formalism to evaluate these durations is about 10{sup 6} times faster than simulating them with SENKIN (CHEMKIN III package) and only 10 times slower than using the classical correlations. The adaptation of the traditional method for predicting delays is interesting for modeling, because those performances are difficult to obtain simultaneously with other reduction methods (either purely mathematical, chemical, or even mixed). After a physical and mathematical justification of the proposed formalism, some of its potentialities for n-heptane combustion are presented. In particular, the trends of simulated delays and activation energies are shown for {sub T} {sub element} {sub of} {sub [1500} {sub K,1900} {sub K},} {sub P} {sub element} {sub of} {sub [10kPa,1MPa]}, X{sub Ar} element of [0,0.7], and {phi} element of {sub [0.25,4.0]}. (author)« less

Flow Effects on the Flammability Diagrams of Solid Fuels: Microgravity Influence on Ignition Delay

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cordova, J. L.; Walther, D. C.; Fernandez-Pello, A. C.; Steinhaus, T.; Torero, J. L.; Quintere, J. G.; Ross, H. D.

1999-01-01

The possibility of an accidental fire in space-based facilities is a primary concern of space exploration programs. Spacecraft environments generally present low velocity air currents produced by ventilation and heating systems (of the order of 0.1 m/s), and fluctuating oxygen concentrations around that of air due to CO2 removal systems. Recent experiments of flame spread in microgravity show the spread rate to be faster and the limiting oxygen concentration lower than in normal-gravity. To date, there is not a material flammability-testing protocol that specifically addresses issues related to microgravity conditions. The present project (FIST) aims to establish a testing methodology that is suitable for the specific conditions of reduced gravity. The concepts underlying the operation of the LIFT apparatus, ASTM-E 1321-93, have been used to develop the Forced-flow Ignition and flame-Spread Test (FIST). As in the LIFT, the FIST is used to obtain the flammability diagrams of the material, i.e., graphs of ignition delay time and flame spread rate as a function of the externally applied radiant flux, but under forced flow rather than natural convection conditions, and for different oxygen concentrations. Although the flammability diagrams are similar, the flammability properties obtained with the FIST are found to depend on the flow characteristics. A research program is currently underway with the purpose of implementing the FIST as a protocol to characterize the flammability performance of solid materials to be used in microgravity facilities. To this point, tests have been performed with the FIST apparatus in both normal-gravity and microgravity conditions to determine the effects of oxidizer flow characteristics on the flammability diagrams of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fuel samples. The experiments are conducted at reduced gravity in a KC- 135 aircraft following a parabolic flight trajectory that provides up to 25 seconds of low gravity. The objective of the experiments is to obtain data of ignition delay and flame spread rate at low flow velocities (0.1 to 0.2 m/s), which cannot be obtained under normal gravity because of the natural convection induced flows (approx. 0.5 m/s). Due to the limited reduced gravity time, the data can only be obtained for high radiant fluxes, and are consequently limited in scope. These tests do, however, provide insight into the flammability diagram characteristics at low velocity and reduced gravity, and also into the implications of the flow-dependence of the flammability properties under environments similar to those encountered in space facilities.

Emission reduction from a diesel engine fueled by pine oil biofuel using SCR and catalytic converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallinayagam, R.; Vedharaj, S.; Yang, W. M.; Saravanan, C. G.; Lee, P. S.; Chua, K. J. E.; Chou, S. K.

2013-12-01

In this work, we propose pine oil biofuel, a renewable fuel obtained from the resins of pine tree, as a potential substitute fuel for a diesel engine. Pine oil is endowed with enhanced physical and thermal properties such as lower viscosity and boiling point, which enhances the atomization and fuel/air mixing process. However, the lower cetane number of the pine oil hinders its direct use in diesel engine and hence, it is blended in suitable proportions with diesel so that the ignition assistance could be provided by higher cetane diesel. Since lower cetane fuels are prone to more NOX formation, SCR (selective catalyst reduction), using urea as reducing agent, along with a CC (catalytic converter) has been implemented in the exhaust pipe. From the experimental study, the BTE (brake thermal efficiency) was observed to be increased as the composition of pine oil increases in the blend, with B50 (50% pine oil and 50% diesel) showing 7.5% increase over diesel at full load condition. The major emissions such as smoke, CO, HC and NOX were reduced by 70.1%, 67.5%, 58.6% and 15.2%, respectively, than diesel. Further, the average emissions of B50 with SCR and CC assembly were observed to be reduced, signifying the positive impact of pine oil biofuel on atmospheric environment. In the combustion characteristics front, peak heat release rate and maximum in-cylinder pressure were observed to be higher with longer ignition delay.

Plasma torch for ignition, flameholding and enhancement of combustion in high speed flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Brien, Walter F. (Inventor); Billingsley, Matthew C. (Inventor); Sanders, Darius D. (Inventor); Schetz, Joseph A. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

Preheating of fuel and injection into a plasma torch plume fro adjacent the plasma torch plume provides for only ignition with reduced delay but improved fuel-air mixing and fuel atomization as well as combustion reaction enhancement. Heat exchange also reduced erosion of the anode of the plasma torch. Fuel mixing atomization, fuel mixture distribution enhancement and combustion reaction enhancement are improved by unsteady plasma torch energization, integral formation of the heat exchanger, fuel injection nozzle and plasma torch anode in a more compact, low-profile arrangement which is not intrusive on a highspeed air flow with which the invention is particularly effective and further enhanced by use of nitrogen as a feedstock material and inclusion of high pressure gases in the fuel to cause effervescence during injection.

Effects of Combined Surface and In-Depth Absorption on Ignition of PMMA

PubMed Central

Gong, Junhui; Chen, Yixuan; Li, Jing; Jiang, Juncheng; Wang, Zhirong; Wang, Jinghong

2016-01-01

A one-dimensional numerical model and theoretical analysis involving both surface and in-depth radiative heat flux absorption are utilized to investigate the influence of their combination on ignition of PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate). Ignition time, transient temperature in a solid and optimized combination of these two absorption modes of black and clear PMMA are examined to understand the ignition mechanism. Based on the comparison, it is found that the selection of constant or variable thermal parameters of PMMA barely affects the ignition time of simulation results. The linearity between tig−0.5 and heat flux does not exist anymore for high heat flux. Both analytical and numerical models underestimate the surface temperature and overestimate the temperature in a solid beneath the heat penetration layer for pure in-depth absorption. Unlike surface absorption circumstances, the peak value of temperature is in the vicinity of the surface but not on the surface for in-depth absorption. The numerical model predicts the ignition time better than the analytical model due to the more reasonable ignition criterion selected. The surface temperature increases with increasing incident heat flux. Furthermore, it also increases with the fraction of surface absorption and the radiative extinction coefficient for fixed heat flux. Finally, the combination is optimized by ignition time, temperature distribution in a solid and mass loss rate. PMID:28773940

Effects of Combined Surface and In-Depth Absorption on Ignition of PMMA.

PubMed

Gong, Junhui; Chen, Yixuan; Li, Jing; Jiang, Juncheng; Wang, Zhirong; Wang, Jinghong

2016-10-05

A one-dimensional numerical model and theoretical analysis involving both surface and in-depth radiative heat flux absorption are utilized to investigate the influence of their combination on ignition of PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate). Ignition time, transient temperature in a solid and optimized combination of these two absorption modes of black and clear PMMA are examined to understand the ignition mechanism. Based on the comparison, it is found that the selection of constant or variable thermal parameters of PMMA barely affects the ignition time of simulation results. The linearity between t ig -0.5 and heat flux does not exist anymore for high heat flux. Both analytical and numerical models underestimate the surface temperature and overestimate the temperature in a solid beneath the heat penetration layer for pure in-depth absorption. Unlike surface absorption circumstances, the peak value of temperature is in the vicinity of the surface but not on the surface for in-depth absorption. The numerical model predicts the ignition time better than the analytical model due to the more reasonable ignition criterion selected. The surface temperature increases with increasing incident heat flux. Furthermore, it also increases with the fraction of surface absorption and the radiative extinction coefficient for fixed heat flux. Finally, the combination is optimized by ignition time, temperature distribution in a solid and mass loss rate.

Spark Ignition of Monodisperse Fuel Sprays. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danis, Allen M.; Cernansky, Nicholas P.; Namer, Izak

1987-01-01

A study of spark ignition energy requirements was conducted with a monodisperse spray system allowing independent control of droplet size, equivalent ratio, and fuel type. Minimum ignition energies were measured for n-heptane and methanol sprays characterized at the spark gap in terms of droplet diameter, equivalence ratio (number density) and extent of prevaporization. In addition to sprays, minimum ignition energies were measured for completely prevaporized mixtures of the same fuels over a range of equivalence ratios to provide data at the lower limit of droplet size. Results showed that spray ignition was enhanced with decreasing droplet size and increasing equivalence ratio over the ranges of the parameters studied. By comparing spray and prevaporized ignition results, the existence of an optimum droplet size for ignition was indicated for both fuels. Fuel volatility was seen to be a critical factor in spray ignition. The spray ignition results were analyzed using two different empirical ignition models for quiescent mixtures. Both models accurately predicted the experimental ignition energies for the majority of the spray conditions. Spray ignition was observed to be probabilistic in nature, and ignition was quantified in terms of an ignition frequency for a given spark energy. A model was developed to predict ignition frequencies based on the variation in spark energy and equivalence ratio in the spark gap. The resulting ignition frequency simulations were nearly identical to the experimentally observed values.

Experimental Study of Combustion and Emissions Characteristics of Methyl Oleate, as a Surrogate for Biodiesel, in a Direct injection Diesel Engine

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study evaluates the combustion and emissions characteristics of methyl oleate (C19H36O2 CAS# 112-62) produced by transesterification from oleic acid, one of the main fatty acid components of biodiesel. The ignition delay of ultra-low sulfur diesel#2 (ULSD) and its blends with methyl oleate (O20...

Modeling turbulent/chemistry interactions using assumed pdf methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaffney, R. L, Jr.; White, J. A.; Girimaji, S. S.; Drummond, J. P.

1992-01-01

Two assumed probability density functions (pdfs) are employed for computing the effect of temperature fluctuations on chemical reaction. The pdfs assumed for this purpose are the Gaussian and the beta densities of the first kind. The pdfs are first used in a parametric study to determine the influence of temperature fluctuations on the mean reaction-rate coefficients. Results indicate that temperature fluctuations significantly affect the magnitude of the mean reaction-rate coefficients of some reactions depending on the mean temperature and the intensity of the fluctuations. The pdfs are then tested on a high-speed turbulent reacting mixing layer. Results clearly show a decrease in the ignition delay time due to increases in the magnitude of most of the mean reaction rate coefficients.

Evolution of wave patterns and temperature field in shock-tube flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiverin, A. D.; Yakovenko, I. S.

2018-05-01

The paper is devoted to the numerical analysis of wave patterns behind a shock wave propagating in a tube filled with a gaseous mixture. It is shown that the flow inside the boundary layer behind the shock wave is unstable, and the way the instability develops fully corresponds to the solution obtained for the boundary layer over a flat plate. Vortical perturbations inside the boundary layer determine the nonuniformity of the temperature field. In turn, exactly these nonuniformities define the way the ignition kernels arise in the combustible mixture after the reflected shock interaction with the boundary layer. In particular, the temperature nonuniformity determines the spatial limitations of probable ignition kernel position relative to the end wall and side walls of the tube. In the case of low-intensity incident shocks the ignition could start not farther than the point of first interaction between the reflected shock wave and roller vortices formed in the process of boundary layer development. Proposed physical mechanisms are formulated in general terms and can be used for interpretation of the experimental data in any systems with a delayed exothermal reaction start. It is also shown that contact surface thickening occurs due to its interaction with Tollmien-Schlichting waves. This conclusion is of importance for understanding the features of ignition in shock tubes operating in the over-tailored regime.

Location, timing and extent of wildfire vary by cause of ignition

USGS Publications Warehouse

Syphard, Alexandra D.; Keeley, Jon E.

2015-01-01

The increasing extent of wildfires has prompted investigation into alternative fire management approaches to complement the traditional strategies of fire suppression and fuels manipulation. Wildfire prevention through ignition reduction is an approach with potential for success, but ignitions result from a variety of causes. If some ignition sources result in higher levels of area burned, then ignition prevention programmes could be optimised to target these distributions in space and time. We investigated the most common ignition causes in two southern California sub-regions, where humans are responsible for more than 95% of all fires, and asked whether these causes exhibited distinct spatial or intra-annual temporal patterns, or resulted in different extents of fire in 10-29-year periods, depending on sub-region. Different ignition causes had distinct spatial patterns and those that burned the most area tended to occur in autumn months. Both the number of fires and area burned varied according to cause of ignition, but the cause of the most numerous fires was not always the cause of the greatest area burned. In both sub-regions, power line ignitions were one of the top two causes of area burned: the other major causes were arson in one sub-region and power equipment in the other. Equipment use also caused the largest number of fires in both sub-regions. These results have important implications for understanding why, where and how ignitions are caused, and in turn, how to develop strategies to prioritise and focus fire prevention efforts. Fire extent has increased tremendously in southern California, and because most fires are caused by humans, ignition reduction offers a potentially powerful management strategy, especially if optimised to reflect the distinct spatial and temporal distributions in different ignition causes.

Hydrogen jet combustion in a scramjet combustor with the rearwall-expansion cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yan-Xiang; Wang, Zhen-Guo; Sun, Ming-Bo; Yang, Yi-Xin; Wang, Hong-Bo

2018-03-01

This study is carried out to experimentally investigate the combustion characteristics of the hydrogen jet flame stabilized by the rearwall-expansion cavity in a model scramjet combustor. The flame distributions are characterized by the OH* spontaneous emission images, and the dynamic features of the flames are studied through the high speed framing of the flame luminosity. The combustion modes are further analyzed based on the visual flame structure and wall pressure distributions. Under the present conditions, the combustion based on the rearwall-expansion cavity appears in two distinguished modes - the typical cavity shear-layer stabilized combustion mode and the lifted-shear-layer stabilized combustion mode. In contrast with the shear-layer stabilized mode, the latter holds stronger flame. The transition from shear-layer stabilized combustion mode to lifted-shear-layer stabilized mode usually occurs when the equivalence ratio is high enough. While the increases of the offset ratio and upstream injection distance both lead to weaker jet-cavity interactions, cause longer ignition delay, and thus delay the mode transition. The results reveal that the rearwall-expansion cavity with an appropriate offset ratio should be helpful in delaying mode transition and preventing thermal choke, and meanwhile just brings minor negative impact on the combustion stability and efficiency.

Contactless electric igniter for vehicle to lower exhaust emission and fuel consumption.

PubMed

Shen, Chih-Lung; Su, Jye-Chau

2014-01-01

An electric igniter for engine/hybrid vehicles is presented. The igniter comprises a flyback converter, a voltage-stacked capacitor, a PIC-based controller, a differential voltage detector, and an ignition coil, of which structure is non-contact type. Since the electric igniter adopts a capacitor to accumulate energy for engine ignition instead of traditional contacttype approach, it enhances the igniting performance of a spark plug effectively. As a result, combustion efficiency is promoted, fuel consumption is saved, and exhaust emission is reduced. The igniter not only is good for fuel efficiency but also can reduce HC and CO emission significantly, which therefore is an environmentally friendly product. The control core of the igniter is implemented on a single chip, which lowers discrete component count, reduces system volume, and increases reliability. In addition, the ignition timing can be programmed so that a timing regulator can be removed from the proposed system, simplifying its structure. To verify the feasibility and functionality of the igniter, key waveforms are measured and real-car experiments are performed as well.

Contactless Electric Igniter for Vehicle to Lower Exhaust Emission and Fuel Consumption

PubMed Central

Su, Jye-Chau

2014-01-01

An electric igniter for engine/hybrid vehicles is presented. The igniter comprises a flyback converter, a voltage-stacked capacitor, a PIC-based controller, a differential voltage detector, and an ignition coil, of which structure is non-contact type. Since the electric igniter adopts a capacitor to accumulate energy for engine ignition instead of traditional contacttype approach, it enhances the igniting performance of a spark plug effectively. As a result, combustion efficiency is promoted, fuel consumption is saved, and exhaust emission is reduced. The igniter not only is good for fuel efficiency but also can reduce HC and CO emission significantly, which therefore is an environmentally friendly product. The control core of the igniter is implemented on a single chip, which lowers discrete component count, reduces system volume, and increases reliability. In addition, the ignition timing can be programmed so that a timing regulator can be removed from the proposed system, simplifying its structure. To verify the feasibility and functionality of the igniter, key waveforms are measured and real-car experiments are performed as well. PMID:24672372

Spontaneous ignition delay characteristics of hydrocarbon fuel-air mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lefebvre, A. H.; Freeman, W. G.; Cowell, L. H.

1986-01-01

The influence of pressure on the autoignition characteristics of homogeneous mixtures of hydrocarbon fuels in air is examined. Autoignition delay times are measured for propane, ethylene, methane, and acetylene in a continuous flow apparatus featuring a multi-point fuel injector. Results are presented for mixture temperatures from 670K to 1020K, pressures from 1 to 10 atmospheres, equivalence ratios from 0.2 to 0.7, and velocities from 5 to 30 m/s. Delay time is related to pressure, temperature, and fuel concentration by global reaction theory. The results show variations in global activation energy from 25 to 38 kcal/kg-mol, pressure exponents from 0.66 to 1.21, and fuel concentration exponents from 0.19 to 0.75 for the fuels studied. These results are generally in good agreement with previous studies carried out under similar conditions.

The effect of ignition location on explosion venting of hydrogen-air mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Y.; Guo, J.; Hu, K.; Xie, L.; Li, B.

2017-07-01

The effect of ignition location and vent burst pressure on the internal pressure-time history and external flame propagation was investigated for vented explosions of hydrogen-air mixtures in a small cylindrical vessel. A high-speed camera was used to record videos of the external flame while pressure transducers were used to record pressure-time histories. It was found that central ignition always leads to the maximum internal peak overpressure, and front ignition resulted in the lowest value of internal peak overpressure. The internal peak overpressures are increased corresponding to the increase in the vent burst pressure in the cases of central and rear ignition. Because of the effect of acoustic oscillations, the phenomenon of oscillations is observed in the internal pressure profile for the case of front ignition. The pressure oscillations for the cases of rear and central ignition are triggered by external explosions. The behavior of flames outside the chamber is significantly associated with the internal pressure of the chamber so that the velocity of the jet flame is closely related to the internal overpressure peak.

A multi-step reaction model for ignition of fully-dense Al-CuO nanocomposite powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stamatis, D.; Ermoline, A.; Dreizin, E. L.

2012-12-01

A multi-step reaction model is developed to describe heterogeneous processes occurring upon heating of an Al-CuO nanocomposite material prepared by arrested reactive milling. The reaction model couples a previously derived Cabrera-Mott oxidation mechanism describing initial, low temperature processes and an aluminium oxidation model including formation of different alumina polymorphs at increased film thicknesses and higher temperatures. The reaction model is tuned using traces measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Ignition is studied for thin powder layers and individual particles using respectively the heated filament (heating rates of 103-104 K s-1) and laser ignition (heating rate ∼106 K s-1) experiments. The developed heterogeneous reaction model predicts a sharp temperature increase, which can be associated with ignition when the laser power approaches the experimental ignition threshold. In experiments, particles ignited by the laser beam are observed to explode, indicating a substantial gas release accompanying ignition. For the heated filament experiments, the model predicts exothermic reactions at the temperatures, at which ignition is observed experimentally; however, strong thermal contact between the metal filament and powder prevents the model from predicting the thermal runaway. It is suggested that oxygen gas release from decomposing CuO, as observed from particles exploding upon ignition in the laser beam, disrupts the thermal contact of the powder and filament; this phenomenon must be included in the filament ignition model to enable prediction of the temperature runaway.

Direct numerical simulations of premixed autoignition in compressible uniformly-sheared turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Towery, Colin; Darragh, Ryan; Poludnenko, Alexei; Hamlington, Peter

2017-11-01

High-speed combustion systems, such as scramjet engines, operate at high temperatures and pressures, extremely short combustor residence times, very high rates of shear stress, and intense turbulent mixing. As a result, the reacting flow can be premixed and have highly-compressible turbulence fluctuations. We investigate the effects of compressible turbulence on the ignition delay time, heat-release-rate (HRR) intermittency, and mode of autoignition of premixed Hydrogen-air fuel in uniformly-sheared turbulence using new three-dimensional direct numerical simulations with a multi-step chemistry mechanism. We analyze autoignition in both the Eulerian and Lagrangian reference frames at eight different turbulence Mach numbers, Mat , spanning the quasi-isentropic, linear thermodynamic, and nonlinear compressibility regimes, with eddy shocklets appearing in the nonlinear regime. Results are compared to our previous study of premixed autoignition in isotropic turbulence at the same Mat and with a single-step reaction mechanism. This previous study found large decreases in delay times and large increases in HRR intermittency between the linear and nonlinear compressibility regimes and that detonation waves could form in both regimes.

Spontaneous ignition temperature limits of jet A fuel in research-combustor segment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingebo, R. D.

1974-01-01

The effects of inlet-air pressure and reference velocity on the spontaneous-ignition temperature limits of Jet A fuel were determined in a combustor segment with a primary-zone length of 0.076 m (3 in.). At a constant reference velocity of 21.4 m/sec (170 ft/sec), increasing the inlet-air pressure from 21 to 207 N/sq cm decreased the spontaneous-ignition temperature limit from approximately 700 to 555 K. At a constant inlet-air pressure of 41 N/sq cm, increasing the reference velocity from 12.2 to 30.5 m/sec increased the spontaneous-ignition temperature limit from approximately 575 to 800 K. Results are compared with other data in the literature.

Analysis of operator splitting errors for near-limit flame simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zhen; Zhou, Hua; Li, Shan; Ren, Zhuyin; Lu, Tianfeng; Law, Chung K.

2017-04-01

High-fidelity simulations of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion processes are of practical interest in a broad range of combustion applications. Splitting schemes, widely employed in reactive flow simulations, could fail for stiff reaction-diffusion systems exhibiting near-limit flame phenomena. The present work first employs a model perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) problem with an Arrhenius reaction term and a linear mixing term to study the effects of splitting errors on the near-limit combustion phenomena. Analysis shows that the errors induced by decoupling of the fractional steps may result in unphysical extinction or ignition. The analysis is then extended to the prediction of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion in unsteady PSRs of various fuel/air mixtures with a 9-species detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation and an 88-species skeletal mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, together with a Jacobian-based analysis for the time scales. The tested schemes include the Strang splitting, the balanced splitting, and a newly developed semi-implicit midpoint method. Results show that the semi-implicit midpoint method can accurately reproduce the dynamics of the near-limit flame phenomena and it is second-order accurate over a wide range of time step size. For the extinction and ignition processes, both the balanced splitting and midpoint method can yield accurate predictions, whereas the Strang splitting can lead to significant shifts on the ignition/extinction processes or even unphysical results. With an enriched H radical source in the inflow stream, a delay of the ignition process and the deviation on the equilibrium temperature are observed for the Strang splitting. On the contrary, the midpoint method that solves reaction and diffusion together matches the fully implicit accurate solution. The balanced splitting predicts the temperature rise correctly but with an over-predicted peak. For the sustainable and decaying oscillatory combustion from cool flames, both the Strang splitting and the midpoint method can successfully capture the dynamic behavior, whereas the balanced splitting scheme results in significant errors.

Analysis of operator splitting errors for near-limit flame simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, Zhen; Zhou, Hua; Li, Shan

High-fidelity simulations of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion processes are of practical interest in a broad range of combustion applications. Splitting schemes, widely employed in reactive flow simulations, could fail for stiff reaction–diffusion systems exhibiting near-limit flame phenomena. The present work first employs a model perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) problem with an Arrhenius reaction term and a linear mixing term to study the effects of splitting errors on the near-limit combustion phenomena. Analysis shows that the errors induced by decoupling of the fractional steps may result in unphysical extinction or ignition. The analysis is then extended to the prediction ofmore » ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion in unsteady PSRs of various fuel/air mixtures with a 9-species detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation and an 88-species skeletal mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, together with a Jacobian-based analysis for the time scales. The tested schemes include the Strang splitting, the balanced splitting, and a newly developed semi-implicit midpoint method. Results show that the semi-implicit midpoint method can accurately reproduce the dynamics of the near-limit flame phenomena and it is second-order accurate over a wide range of time step size. For the extinction and ignition processes, both the balanced splitting and midpoint method can yield accurate predictions, whereas the Strang splitting can lead to significant shifts on the ignition/extinction processes or even unphysical results. With an enriched H radical source in the inflow stream, a delay of the ignition process and the deviation on the equilibrium temperature are observed for the Strang splitting. On the contrary, the midpoint method that solves reaction and diffusion together matches the fully implicit accurate solution. The balanced splitting predicts the temperature rise correctly but with an over-predicted peak. For the sustainable and decaying oscillatory combustion from cool flames, both the Strang splitting and the midpoint method can successfully capture the dynamic behavior, whereas the balanced splitting scheme results in significant errors.« less

A study of reacting free and ducted hydrogen/air jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beach, H. L., Jr.

1975-01-01

The mixing and reaction of a supersonic jet of hydrogen in coaxial free and ducted high temperature test gases were investigated. The importance of chemical kinetics on computed results, and the utilization of free-jet theoretical approaches to compute enclosed flow fields were studied. Measured pitot pressure profiles were correlated by use of a parabolic mixing analysis employing an eddy viscosity model. All computations, including free, ducted, reacting, and nonreacting cases, use the same value of the empirical constant in the viscosity model. Equilibrium and finite rate chemistry models were utilized. The finite rate assumption allowed prediction of observed ignition delay, but the equilibrium model gave the best correlations downstream from the ignition location. Ducted calculations were made with finite rate chemistry; correlations were, in general, as good as the free-jet results until problems with the boundary conditions were encountered.

Evaluating Ionic Liquids as Hypergolic Fuels: Exploring Reactivity from Molecular Structure

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-27

obtained , some caution is required since 14 of these exhibited no observable melting or glass transitions which might be a result of the hygroscopic...Fuels 01-27-14 23 short ignition delays and lower viscosities ( alkene ) or higher densities (N-N) should be considered further. The development of...Experimental Materials and Methods . 1-methylimidazole, 3-picoline, pyridine, 1-chlorobutane, 1- bromobutane, allyl chloride, and 1-chloro-2

Capsule Performance Optimization in the National Ignition Campaign

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Landen, O L; MacGowan, B J; Haan, S W

2009-10-13

A capsule performance optimization campaign will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility to substantially increase the probability of ignition. The campaign will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition attempts. The required tuning techniques using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates have been demonstrated at the Omega facility under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design and shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. In addition, a roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting themore » key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget.« less

Capsule performance optimization in the national ignition campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landen, O. L.; MacGowan, B. J.; Haan, S. W.; Edwards, J.

2010-08-01

A capsule performance optimization campaign will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [1] to substantially increase the probability of ignition. The campaign will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition attempts. The required tuning techniques using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates have been demonstrated at the Omega facility under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design and shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. In addition, a roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting the key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget.

Ignition of an organic water-coal fuel droplet floating in a heated-air flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valiullin, T. R.; Strizhak, P. A.; Shevyrev, S. A.; Bogomolov, A. R.

2017-01-01

Ignition of an organic water-coal fuel (CWSP) droplet floating in a heated-air flow has been studied experimentally. Rank B2 brown-coal particles with a size of 100 μm, used crankcase Total oil, water, and a plasticizer were used as the main CWSP components. A dedicated quartz-glass chamber has been designed with inlet and outlet elements made as truncated cones connected via a cylindrical ring. The cones were used to shape an oxidizer flow with a temperature of 500-830 K and a flow velocity of 0.5-5.0 m/s. A technique that uses a coordinate-positioning gear, a nichrome thread, and a cutter element has been developed for discharging CWSP droplets into the working zone of the chamber. Droplets with an initial size of 0.4 to 2.0 mm were used. Conditions have been determined for a droplet to float in the oxidizer flow long enough for the sustainable droplet burning to be initiated. Typical stages and integral ignition characteristics have been established. The integral parameters (ignition-delay times) of the examined processes have been compared to the results of experiments with CWSP droplets suspended on the junction of a quick-response thermocouple. It has been shown that floating fuel droplets ignite much quicker than the ones that sit still on the thermocouple due to rotation of an CWSP droplet in the oxidizer flow, more uniform heating of the droplet, and lack of heat drainage towards the droplet center. High-speed video recording of the peculiarities of floatation of a burning fuel droplet makes it possible to complement the existing models of water-coal fuel burning. The results can be used for a more substantiated modeling of furnace CWSP burning with the ANSYS, Fluent, and Sigma-Flow software packages.

Enthalpy generation from mixing in hohlraum-driven targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amendt, Peter; Milovich, Jose

2016-10-01

The increase in enthalpy from the physical mixing of two initially separated materials is analytically estimated and applied to ICF implosions and gas-filled hohlraums. Pressure and temperature gradients across a classical interface are shown to be the origin of enthalpy generation from mixing. The amount of enthalpy generation is estimated to be on the order of 100 Joules for a 10 micron-scale annular mixing layer between the solid deuterium-tritium fuel and the undoped high-density carbon ablator of a NIF-scale implosion. A potential resonance is found between the mixing layer thickness and gravitational (Cs2/ g) and temperature-gradient scale lengths, leading to elevated enthalpy generation. These results suggest that if mixing occurs in current capsule designs for the National Ignition Facility, the ignition margin may be appreciably eroded by the associated enthalpy of mixing. The degree of enthalpy generation from mixing of high- Z hohlraum wall material and low- Z gas fills is estimated to be on the order of 100 kJ or more for recent NIF-scale hohlraum experiments, which is consistent with the inferred missing energy based on observed delays in capsule implosion times. Work performed under the auspices of Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Simulations of Fuel Assembly and Fast-Electron Transport in Integrated Fast-Ignition Experiments on OMEGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solodov, A. A.; Theobald, W.; Anderson, K. S.; Shvydky, A.; Epstein, R.; Betti, R.; Myatt, J. F.; Stoeckl, C.; Jarrott, L. C.; McGuffey, C.; Qiao, B.; Beg, F. N.; Wei, M. S.; Stephens, R. B.

2013-10-01

Integrated fast-ignition experiments on OMEGA benefit from improved performance of the OMEGA EP laser, including higher contrast, higher energy, and a smaller focus. Recent 8-keV, Cu-Kα flash radiography of cone-in-shell implosions and cone-tip breakout measurements showed good agreement with the 2-D radiation-hydrodynamic simulations using the code DRACO. DRACO simulations show that the fuel assembly can be further improved by optimizing the compression laser pulse, evacuating air from the shell, and by adjusting the material of the cone tip. This is found to delay the cone-tip breakout by ~220 ps and increase the core areal density from ~80 mg/cm2 in the current experiments to ~500 mg/cm2 at the time of the OMEGA EP beam arrival before the cone-tip breakout. Simulations using the code LSP of fast-electron transport in the recent integrated OMEGA experiments with Cu-doped shells will be presented. Cu-doping is added to probe the transport of fast electrons via their induced Cu K-shell fluorescent emission. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration DE-NA0001944 and the Office of Science under DE-FC02-04ER54789.

Effect of flow velocity and temperature on ignition characteristics in laser ignition of natural gas and air mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, J.; Riley, M. J. W.; Borman, A.; Dowding, C.; Kirk, A.; Bickerton, R.

2015-03-01

Laser induced spark ignition offers the potential for greater reliability and consistency in ignition of lean air/fuel mixtures. This increased reliability is essential for the application of gas turbines as primary or secondary reserve energy sources in smart grid systems, enabling the integration of renewable energy sources whose output is prone to fluctuation over time. This work details a study into the effect of flow velocity and temperature on minimum ignition energies in laser-induced spark ignition in an atmospheric combustion test rig, representative of a sub 15 MW industrial gas turbine (Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd., Lincoln, UK). Determination of minimum ignition energies required for a range of temperatures and flow velocities is essential for establishing an operating window in which laser-induced spark ignition can operate under realistic, engine-like start conditions. Ignition of a natural gas and air mixture at atmospheric pressure was conducted using a laser ignition system utilizing a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser source operating at 532 nm wavelength and 4 ns pulse length. Analysis of the influence of flow velocity and temperature on ignition characteristics is presented in terms of required photon flux density, a useful parameter to consider during the development laser ignition systems.

Ignition characteristics of the nickel-based alloy UNS N07718 in pressurized oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bransford, James W.; Billiard, Phillip A.; Hurley, James A.; Mcdermott, Kathleen M.; Vazquez, Isaura

1989-01-01

The development of ignition and combustion in pressurized oxygen atmospheres was studied for the nickel based alloy UNS N07718. Ignition of the alloy was achieved by heating the top. It was found that the alloy would autoheat to destruction from temperatures below the solidus temperature. In addition, endothermic events occurred as the alloy was heated, many at reproducible temperatures. Many endothermic events occurred prior to abrupt increases in surface temperature and appeared to accelerate the rate of increase in specimen temperature. It appeared that the source of some endotherms may increase the oxidation rate of the alloy. Ignition parameters are defined and the temperatures at which these parameters occur are given for the oxygen pressure range of 1.72 to 13.8 MPa (250 to 2000 psia).

Combustion characteristics of fine- and micro-pulverized coal in the mixture of O{sub 2}/CO{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiangyong Huang; Xiumin Jiang; Xiangxin Han

The effects of oxygen concentration, particle size, and heating rate on the coal combustion characteristics under an O{sub 2}/CO{sub 2} atmosphere were investigated. The results indicated that the oxygen concentration played the most important role. As the oxygen concentration increases, the ignition and burnout temperatures decrease and the comprehensive combustion property index S increases. Moreover, the improvement of the oxygen concentration intensified the effects of the other factors. The ignition mechanism changes from hetero-homogeneous type to homogeneous type as the oxygen concentration increases. The ignition and burnout temperatures decrease slightly as the mean particle size decreases, and the index Smore » increases measurably as the mean particle size decreases. The heating rate has different effects on the ignition temperature, burnout temperature, and index S at different oxygen concentrations. 19 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Influence of several factors on ignition lag in a compression-ignition engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerrish, Harold C; Voss, Fred

1932-01-01

This investigation was made to determine the influence of fuel quality, injection advance angle, injection valve-opening pressure, inlet-air pressure, compression ratio, and engine speed on the time lag of auto-ignition of a Diesel fuel oil in a single-cylinder compression-ignition engine as obtained from an analysis of indicator diagrams. Three cam-operated fuel-injection pumps, two pumps cams, and an automatic injection valve with two different nozzles were used. Ignition lag was considered to be the interval between the start of injection of the fuel as determined with a Stroborama and the start of effective combustion as determined from the indicator diagram, the latter being the point where 4.0 x 10(exp-6) pound of fuel had been effectively burned. For this particular engine and fuel it was found that: (1) for a constant start and the same rate of fuel injection up the point of cut-off, a variation in fuel quantity from 1.2 x 10(exp-4) to 4.1 x 10(exp-4) pound per cycle has no appreciable effect on the ignition lag; (2) injection advance angle increases or decreases the lag according to whether density, temperature, or turbulence has the controlling influence; (3) increase in valve-opening pressure slightly increases the lag; and (4) increase of inlet-air pressure, compression ratio, and engine speed reduces the lag.

Bibliography on aircraft fire hazards and safety. Volume 1: Hazards. Part 1: Key numbers 1 to 817

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pelouch, J. J., Jr. (Compiler); Hacker, P. T. (Compiler)

1974-01-01

Ignition temperatures of n-hexane, n-octane, n-decane, JP-6 jet fuel, and aircraft engine oil MIL-7-7808 (0-60-18) were determined in air using heated Pyrex cylinders and Nichrome wires, rods, or tubes. Ignition temperature varied little with fuel-air ratio, but increased as the size of the heat source was decreased. Expressions are given which define the variation of the hot surface ignition temperatures of these combustibles with the radius and the surface area of the heat source. The expressions are applicable to stagnant or low velocity flow conditions (less than 0.2 in./sec.). In addition, the hot gas ignition temperatures of the combustible vapor-air mixtures were determined with jets of hot air. These ignition temperatures also varied little with fuel-air ratio and increased as the diameter of the heat sources was decreased.

Experimental investigation on ignition schemes of partially covered cavities in a supersonic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Zun; Sun, Mingbo; Wang, Hongbo; Wang, Zhenguo

2016-04-01

In this study, ignition schemes of the partially covered cavity in a scramjet combustor were investigated under inflow conditions of Ma=2.1 with stagnation pressure P0=0.7 Mpa and stagnation temperature T0=947 K. It reveals that the ignition scheme of the partially covered cavity has a great impact on the ignition and flame stabilization process. There always exists an optimized global equivalence ratio of a fixed ignition scheme, and the optimized global equivalence ratio of ignition in the partially covered cavity is lower than that of the uncovered cavity. For tandem dual-cavities, ignition in the partially covered cavity could be enhanced with the optimization of global equivalence ratio. However, ignition in the partially covered cavity would be exacerbated with further increasing the global equivalence ratio. The global equivalence ratio and the jet penetration height have a strong coupling with the combustion flow-field. For multi-cavities, it is assured that fuel injection on the opposite side could hardly be ignited after ignition in the partially covered cavity even with the optimized global equivalence ratio. It is possible to realize ignition enhancement in the partially covered cavity with the optimization of global equivalence ratio, but it is not beneficial for thrust increment during the steady combustion process.

Performance and emissions characteristics of aqueous alcohol fumes in a DI diesel engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heisey, J. B.; Lestz, S. S.

1981-01-01

A single cylinder DI Diesel engine was fumigated with ethanol and methanol in amounts up to 55% of the total fuel energy. The effects of aqueous alcohol fumigation on engine thermal efficiency, combustion intensity and gaseous exhaust emissions were determined. Assessment of changes in the biological activity of raw particulate and its soluble organic fraction were also made using the Salmonella typhimurium test. Alcohol fumigation improved thermal efficiency slightly at moderate and heavy loads, but increased ignition delay at all operating conditions. Carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emission generally increased with alcohol fumigation and showed no dependence on alcohol type or quality. Oxide of nitrogen emission showed a strong dependence on alcohol quality; relative emission levels decreased with increasing water content of the fumigant. Particulate mass loading rates were lower for ethanol fueled conditions. However, the biological activity of both the raw particulate and its soluble organic fraction was enhanced by ethanol fumigation at most operating conditions.

Ignition behavior of magnesium powder layers on a plate heated at constant temperature.

PubMed

Chunmiao, Yuan; Dezheng, Huang; Chang, Li; Gang, Li

2013-02-15

The minimum temperature at which dust layers or deposits ignite is considered to be very important in industries where smoldering fires could occur. Experiments were conducted on the self-ignition behavior of magnesium powder layers. The estimated effective thermal conductivity k for modeling is 0.17 W m(-1)K(-1). The minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of magnesium powder layers for four different particle sizes: 6, 47, 104 and 173 μm, are also determined in these experiments. A model was developed describing temperature distribution and its change over time while considering the melting and boiling of magnesium powder. Parameter analysis shown that increasing particle size from 6 to 173 μm increased MIT from 710 to 760 K, and increased thickness of the dust layer led to a decreased MIT. The calculation termination time more than 5000 s didn't significantly impact MIT. Comparing predicted and experimental data showed satisfactory agreement for MIT of magnesium powder layers at various particle sizes. According to the ignition process of magnesium powder layer, a meaningful definition for the most sensitive ignition position (MSIP) was proposed and should be taken into consideration when preventing smoldering fires induced by hot plates. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantifying the human influence on fire ignition across the western USA.

PubMed

Fusco, Emily J; Abatzoglou, John T; Balch, Jennifer K; Finn, John T; Bradley, Bethany A

2016-12-01

Humans have a profound effect on fire regimes by increasing the frequency of ignitions. Although ignition is an integral component of understanding and predicting fire, to date fire models have not been able to isolate the ignition location, leading to inconsistent use of anthropogenic ignition proxies. Here, we identified fire ignitions from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Burned Area Product (2000-2012) to create the first remotely sensed, consistently derived, and regionally comprehensive fire ignition data set for the western United States. We quantified the spatial relationships between several anthropogenic land-use/disturbance features and ignition for ecoregions within the study area and used hierarchical partitioning to test how the anthropogenic predictors of fire ignition vary among ecoregions. The degree to which anthropogenic features predicted ignition varied considerably by ecoregion, with the strongest relationships found in the Marine West Coast Forest and North American Desert ecoregions. Similarly, the contribution of individual anthropogenic predictors varied greatly among ecoregions. Railroad corridors and agricultural presence tended to be the most important predictors of anthropogenic ignition, while population density and roads were generally poor predictors. Although human population has often been used as a proxy for ignitions at global scales, it is less important at regional scales when more specific land uses (e.g., agriculture) can be identified. The variability of ignition predictors among ecoregions suggests that human activities have heterogeneous impacts in altering fire regimes within different vegetation types and geographies. © 2016 by the Ecological Society of America.

Assessing the risk of ignition in the Russian far east within a modeling framework of fire threat.

PubMed

Loboda, Tatiana V; Csiszar, Ivan A

2007-04-01

The forests of high biological importance in the Russian Far East (RFE) have been experiencing increasing pressure from growing demands for natural resources under the changing economy of post-Soviet Russia. This pressure is further amplified by the rising threat of large and catastrophic fire occurrence, which threatens both the resources and the economic potential of the region. In this paper we introduce a conceptual Fire Threat Model (FTM) and use it to provide quantitative assessment of the risk of ignition in the Russian Far East. The remotely sensed data driven FTM is aimed at evaluating potential wildland fire occurrence and its impact and recovery potential for a given resource. This model is intended for use by resource managers to assist in assessing current levels of fire threat to a given resource, projecting the changes in fire threat under changing climate and land use, and evaluating the efficiency of various management approaches aimed at minimizing the fire impact. Risk of ignition (one of the major uncertainties within fire threat modeling) was analyzed using the MODIS active fire product. The risk of ignition in the RFE is shown to be highly variable in spatial and temporal domains. However, the number of ignition points is not directly proportional to the amount of fire occurrence in the area. Fire ignitions in the RFE are strongly linked to anthropogenic activity (transportation routes, settlements, and land use). An increase in the number of fire ignitions during summer months could be attributed to (1) disruption of the summer monsoons and subsequent changes in fire weather and (2) an increase in natural sources of fire ignitions.

Influence of radiative processes on the ignition of deuterium–tritium plasma containing inactive impurities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gus’kov, S. Yu., E-mail: guskov@sci.lebedev.ru; Sherman, V. E.

2016-08-15

The degree of influence of radiative processes on the ignition of deuterium–tritium (DT) plasma has been theoretically studied as dependent on the content of inactive impurities in plasma. The analytic criterion of plasma ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets is modified taking into account the absorption of intrinsic radiation from plasma in the ignition region. The influence of radiative processes on the DT plasma ignition has been analytically and numerically studied for plasma that contains a significant fraction of inactive impurities either as a result of DT fuel mixing with ICF target ablator material or as a result ofmore » using light metal DT-hydrides as solid noncryogenic fuel. It has been shown that the effect of the absorption of intrinsic radiation leads to lower impurity-induced increase in the ignition energy as compared to that calculated in the approximation of optically transparent ignition region.« less

Fire risk in San Diego County, California: A weighted Bayesian model approach

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kolden, Crystal A.; Weigel, Timothy J.

2007-01-01

Fire risk models are widely utilized to mitigate wildfire hazards, but models are often based on expert opinions of less understood fire-ignition and spread processes. In this study, we used an empirically derived weights-of-evidence model to assess what factors produce fire ignitions east of San Diego, California. We created and validated a dynamic model of fire-ignition risk based on land characteristics and existing fire-ignition history data, and predicted ignition risk for a future urbanization scenario. We then combined our empirical ignition-risk model with a fuzzy fire behavior-risk model developed by wildfire experts to create a hybrid model of overall fire risk. We found that roads influence fire ignitions and that future growth will increase risk in new rural development areas. We conclude that empirically derived risk models and hybrid models offer an alternative method to assess current and future fire risk based on management actions.

Capsule performance optimization in the National Ignition Campaigna)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landen, O. L.; Boehly, T. R.; Bradley, D. K.; Braun, D. G.; Callahan, D. A.; Celliers, P. M.; Collins, G. W.; Dewald, E. L.; Divol, L.; Glenzer, S. H.; Hamza, A.; Hicks, D. G.; Hoffman, N.; Izumi, N.; Jones, O. S.; Kirkwood, R. K.; Kyrala, G. A.; Michel, P.; Milovich, J.; Munro, D. H.; Nikroo, A.; Olson, R. E.; Robey, H. F.; Spears, B. K.; Thomas, C. A.; Weber, S. V.; Wilson, D. C.; Marinak, M. M.; Suter, L. J.; Hammel, B. A.; Meyerhofer, D. D.; Atherton, J.; Edwards, J.; Haan, S. W.; Lindl, J. D.; MacGowan, B. J.; Moses, E. I.

2010-05-01

A capsule performance optimization campaign will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Nucl. Fusion 44, 228 (2004)] to substantially increase the probability of ignition by laser-driven hohlraums [J. D. Lindl et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 339 (2004)]. The campaign will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition attempts. The required tuning techniques using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates have been demonstrated at the OMEGA facility under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design and shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. In addition, a roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting the key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget.

Capsule performance optimization in the National Ignition Campaign

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Landen, O. L.; Bradley, D. K.; Braun, D. G.

2010-05-15

A capsule performance optimization campaign will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Nucl. Fusion 44, 228 (2004)] to substantially increase the probability of ignition by laser-driven hohlraums [J. D. Lindl et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 339 (2004)]. The campaign will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition attempts. The required tuning techniques using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates have been demonstrated at the OMEGA facility under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition designmore » and shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. In addition, a roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting the key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget.« less

Two-phase flow in the cooling circuit of a cryogenic rocket engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preclik, D.

1992-07-01

Transient two-phase flow was investigated for the hydrogen cooling circuit of the HM7 rocket engine. The nuclear reactor code ATHLET/THESEUS was adapted to cryogenics and applied to both principal and prototype experiments for validation and simulation purposes. The cooling circuit two-phase flow simulation focused on the hydrogen prechilling and pump transient phase prior to ignition. Both a single- and a multichannel model were designed and employed for a valve leakage flow, a nominal prechilling flow, and a prechilling with a subsequent pump-transient flow. The latter case was performed in order to evaluate the difference between a nominal and a delayed turbo-pump start-up. It was found that an extension of the nominal prechilling sequence in the order of 1 second is sufficient to finally provide for liquid injection conditions of hydrogen which, as commonly known, is undesirable for smooth ignition and engine starting transients.

Operating characteristics of a hydrogen-argon plasma torch for supersonic combustion applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbi, E.; Mahan, J. R.; O'Brien, W. F.; Wagner, T. C.

1989-01-01

The residence time of the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber of a scramjet engine is much less than the time normally required for complete combustion. Hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels require an ignition source under conditions typically found in a scramjet combustor. Analytical studies indicate that the presence of hydrogen atoms should greatly reduce the ignition delay in this environment. Because hydrogen plasmas are prolific sources of hydrogen atoms, a low-power, uncooled hydrogen plasma torch has been built and tested to evaluate its potential as a possible flame holder for supersonic combustion. The torch was found to be unstable when operated on pure hydrogen; however, stable operation could be obtained by using argon as a body gas and mixing in the desired amount of hydrogen. The stability limits of the torch are delineated and its electrical and thermal behavior documented. An average torch thermal efficiency of around 88 percent is demonstrated.

On the photometric homogeneity of Type IA supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bravo, E.; Dominguez, I.; Isern, J.; Canal, R.; Hoeflich, P.; Labay, J.

1993-03-01

The dependence of the characteristics of the light curves of Type Ia supernovae on the ignition density of the progenitor white dwarf is studied with the aid of two models of propagation of the thermonuclear burning front: as a deflagration and as a delayed detonation. The light curve is computed from opacities which take into account the velocity gradients. The results show that in all cases the resulting light curves roughly agree with observations and that they are not sensitive to the ignition density of the white dwarf. Only the model corresponding to a deflagration starting at a density of 8 x 10 exp 9 g/cu cm shows a deviation from the general behavior, having a significantly lower luminosity at maximum. A dispersion of about 1000 km/s is found in the computed expansion velocities at maximum, which compares well with that found in the observations.

Influence analysis of electronically and vibrationally excited particles on the ignition of methane and hydrogen under the conditions of a gas turbine engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deminskii, M. A.; Konina, K. M.; Potapkin, B. V.

2018-03-01

The vibronic and electronic energy relaxation phenomena in the specific conditions of a gas turbine engine were investigated in this paper. The plasma-chemical mechanism has been augmented with the results of recent investigations of the processes that involve electronically and vibrationally excited species. The updated mechanism was employed for the computer simulation of plasma-assisted combustion of hydrogen-air and methane-air mixtures under high pressure and in the range of initial temperatures T  =  500-900 K. The updated mechanism was verified using the experimental data. The influence of electronically excited nitrogen on the ignition delay time was analyzed. The rate coefficient of the vibration-vibration exchange between N2 and HO2 was calculated as well as the rate coefficient of HO2 decomposition.

The Production and Evolution of Atomic Oxygen in the Afterglow of Streamer Discharge in Atmospheric Pressure Fuel/Air Mixtures

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-02

in streamer discharge afterglow in a variety of fueVair mixtures in order to account for the 0 reaction pathways in transient plasma ignition. It is... plasma ignition (TPI), the use of streamers for ignition in combustion engines, holds great promise for improving performance. TPI has been tested...standard spark gap or arc ignition methods [1-4]. These improvements to combustion allow increasing power and efficiency in existing engines such as

Chemistry of Aviation Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knepper, Bryan; Hwang, Soon Muk; DeWitt, Kenneth J.

2004-01-01

Minimum ignition energies of various methanol/air mixtures were measured in a temperature controlled constant volume combustion vessel using a spark ignition method with a spark gap distance of 2 mm. The minimum ignition energies decrease rapidly as the mixture composition (equivalence ratio, Phi) changes from lean to stoichiometric, reach a minimum value, and then increase rather slowly with Phi. The minimum of the minimum ignition energy (MIE) and the corresponding mixture composition were determined to be 0.137 mJ and Phi = 1.16, a slightly rich mixture. The variation of minimum ignition energy with respect to the mixture composition is explained in terms of changes in reaction chemistry.

The potential of imposed magnetic fields for enhancing ignition probability and fusion energy yield in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, L. J.; Ho, D. D.-M.; Logan, B. G.; Zimmerman, G. B.; Rhodes, M. A.; Strozzi, D. J.; Blackfield, D. T.; Hawkins, S. A.

2017-06-01

We examine the potential that imposed magnetic fields of tens of Tesla that increase to greater than 10 kT (100 MGauss) under implosion compression may relax the conditions required for ignition and propagating burn in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets. This may allow the attainment of ignition, or at least significant fusion energy yields, in presently performing ICF targets on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) that today are sub-marginal for thermonuclear burn through adverse hydrodynamic conditions at stagnation [Doeppner et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 055001 (2015)]. Results of detailed two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic-burn simulations applied to NIF capsule implosions with low-mode shape perturbations and residual kinetic energy loss indicate that such compressed fields may increase the probability for ignition through range reduction of fusion alpha particles, suppression of electron heat conduction, and potential stabilization of higher-mode Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. Optimum initial applied fields are found to be around 50 T. Given that the full plasma structure at capsule stagnation may be governed by three-dimensional resistive magneto-hydrodynamics, the formation of closed magnetic field lines might further augment ignition prospects. Experiments are now required to further assess the potential of applied magnetic fields to ICF ignition and burn on NIF.

The combustion properties analysis of various liquid fuels based on crude oil and renewables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grab-Rogalinski, K.; Szwaja, S.

2016-09-01

The paper presents results of investigation on combustion properties analysis of hydrocarbon based liquid fuels commonly used in the CI engine. The analysis was performed with aid of the CRU (Combustion Research Unit). CRU is the machine consisted of a constant volume combustion chamber equipped with one or two fuel injectors and a pressure sensor. Fuel can be injected under various both injection pressure and injection duration, also with two injector versions two stage combustion with pilot injection can be simulated, that makes it possible to introduce and modify additional parameter which is injection delay (defined as the time between pilot and main injection). On a basis of this investigation such combustion parameters as pressure increase, rate of heat release, ignition delay and combustion duration can be determined. The research was performed for the four fuels as follows: LFO, HFO, Biofuel from rape seeds and Glycerol under various injection parameters as well as combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions. Under these tests the change in such injection parameters as injection pressure, use of pilot injection, injection delay and injection duration, for main injection, were made. Moreover, fuels were tested under different conditions of load, what was determined by initial conditions (pressure and temperature) in the combustion chamber. Stored data from research allows to compare combustion parameters for fuels applied to tests and show this comparison in diagrams.

A comprehensive experimental and detailed chemical kinetic modelling study of 2,5-dimethylfuran pyrolysis and oxidation

PubMed Central

Somers, Kieran P.; Simmie, John M.; Gillespie, Fiona; Conroy, Christine; Black, Gráinne; Metcalfe, Wayne K.; Battin-Leclerc, Frédérique; Dirrenberger, Patricia; Herbinet, Olivier; Glaude, Pierre-Alexandre; Dagaut, Philippe; Togbé, Casimir; Yasunaga, Kenji; Fernandes, Ravi X.; Lee, Changyoul; Tripathi, Rupali; Curran, Henry J.

2013-01-01

The pyrolytic and oxidative behaviour of the biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran (25DMF) has been studied in a range of experimental facilities in order to investigate the relatively unexplored combustion chemistry of the title species and to provide combustor relevant experimental data. The pyrolysis of 25DMF has been re-investigated in a shock tube using the single-pulse method for mixtures of 3% 25DMF in argon, at temperatures from 1200–1350 K, pressures from 2–2.5 atm and residence times of approximately 2 ms. Ignition delay times for mixtures of 0.75% 25DMF in argon have been measured at atmospheric pressure, temperatures of 1350–1800 K at equivalence ratios (ϕ) of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 along with auto-ignition measurements for stoichiometric fuel in air mixtures of 25DMF at 20 and 80 bar, from 820–1210 K. This is supplemented with an oxidative speciation study of 25DMF in a jet-stirred reactor (JSR) from 770–1220 K, at 10.0 atm, residence times of 0.7 s and at ϕ = 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0. Laminar burning velocities for 25DMF-air mixtures have been measured using the heat-flux method at unburnt gas temperatures of 298 and 358 K, at atmospheric pressure from ϕ = 0.6–1.6. These laminar burning velocity measurements highlight inconsistencies in the current literature data and provide a validation target for kinetic mechanisms. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism containing 2768 reactions and 545 species has been simultaneously developed to describe the combustion of 25DMF under the experimental conditions described above. Numerical modelling results based on the mechanism can accurately reproduce the majority of experimental data. At high temperatures, a hydrogen atom transfer reaction is found to be the dominant unimolecular decomposition pathway of 25DMF. The reactions of hydrogen atom with the fuel are also found to be important in predicting pyrolysis and ignition delay time experiments. Numerous proposals are made on the mechanism and kinetics of the previously unexplored intermediate temperature combustion pathways of 25DMF. Hydroxyl radical addition to the furan ring is highlighted as an important fuel consuming reaction, leading to the formation of methyl vinyl ketone and acetyl radical. The chemically activated recombination of HȮ2 or CH3Ȯ2 with the 5-methyl-2-furanylmethyl radical, forming a 5-methyl-2-furylmethanoxy radical and ȮH or CH3Ȯ radical is also found to exhibit significant control over ignition delay times, as well as being important reactions in the prediction of species profiles in a JSR. Kinetics for the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the alkyl side-chain of the fuel by molecular oxygen and HȮ2 radical are found to be sensitive in the estimation of ignition delay times for fuel-air mixtures from temperatures of 820–1200 K. At intermediate temperatures, the resonantly stabilised 5-methyl-2-furanylmethyl radical is found to predominantly undergo bimolecular reactions, and as a result sub-mechanisms for 5-methyl-2-formylfuran and 5-methyl-2-ethylfuran, and their derivatives, have also been developed with consumption pathways proposed. This study is the first to attempt to simulate the combustion of these species in any detail, although future refinements are likely necessary. The current study illustrates both quantitatively and qualitatively the complex chemical behavior of what is a high potential biofuel. Whilst the current work is the most comprehensive study on the oxidation of 25DMF in the literature to date, the mechanism cannot accurately reproduce laminar burning velocity measurements over a suitable range of unburnt gas temperatures, pressures and equivalence ratios, although discrepancies in the experimental literature data are highlighted. Resolving this issue should remain a focus of future work. PMID:24273333

Spark ignited turbulent flame kernel growth. Annual report, January--December 1991

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Santavicca, D.A.

1994-06-01

An experimental study of the effect of spark power on the growth rate of spark-ignited flame kernels was conducted in a turbulent flow system at 1 atm, 300 K conditions. All measurements were made with premixed, propane-air at a fuel/air equivalence ratio of 0.93, with 0%, 8% or 14% dilution. Two flow conditions were studied: a low turbulence intensity case with a mean velocity of 1.25 m/sec and a turbulence intensity of 0.33 m/sec, and a high turbulence intensity case with a mean velocity of 1.04 m/sec and a turbulence intensity of 0.88 m/sec. The growth of the spark-ignited flamemore » kernel was recorded over a time interval from 83 {mu}sec to 20 msec following the start of ignition using high speed laser shadowgraphy. In order to evaluate the effect of ignition spark power, tests were conducted with a long duration (ca 4 msec) inductive discharge ignition system with an average spark power of ca 14 watts and two short duration (ca 100 nsec) breakdown ignition systems with average spark powers of ca 6 {times} 10{sup 4} and ca 6 {times} 10{sup 5} watts. The results showed that increased spark power resulted in an increased growth rate, where the effect of short duration breakdown sparks was found to persist for times of the order of milliseconds. The effectiveness of increased spark power was found to be less at high turbulence and high dilution conditions. Increased spark power had a greater effect on the 0--5 mm burn time than on the 5--13 mm burn time, in part because of the effect of breakdown energy on the initial size of the flame kernel. And finally, when spark power was increased by shortening the spark duration while keeping the effective energy the same there was a significant increase in the misfire rate, however when the spark power was further increased by increasing the breakdown energy the misfire rate dropped to zero.« less

Evaluating free vs bound oxygen on ignition of nano-aluminum based energetics leads to a critical reaction rate criterion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Wenbo; DeLisio, Jeffery B.; Wang, Xizheng; Egan, Garth C.; Zachariah, Michael R.

2015-09-01

This study investigates the ignition of nano-aluminum (n-Al) and n-Al based energetic materials (nanothermites) at varying O2 pressures (1-18 atm), aiming to differentiate the effects of free and bound oxygen on ignition and to assess if it is possible to identify a critical reaction condition for ignition independent of oxygen source. Ignition experiments were conducted by rapidly heating the samples on a fine Pt wire at a heating rate of ˜105 °C s-1 to determine the ignition time and temperature. The ignition temperature of n-Al was found to reduce as the O2 pressure increased, whereas the ignition temperatures of nanothermites (n-Al/Fe2O3, n-Al/Bi2O3, n-Al/K2SO4, and n-Al/K2S2O8) had different sensitivities to O2 pressure depending on the formulations. A phenomenological kinetic/transport model was evaluated to correlate the concentrations of oxygen both in condensed and gaseous phases, with the initiation rate of Al-O at ignition temperature. We found that a constant critical reaction rate (5 × 10-2 mol m-2 s-1) for ignition exists which is independent to ignition temperature, heating rate, and free vs bound oxygen. Since for both the thermite and the free O2 reaction the critical reaction rate for ignition is the same, the various ignition temperatures are simply reflecting the conditions when the critical reaction rate for thermal runaway is achieved.

Photon Doppler Velocimeter to Measure Entrained Additive Manufactured Bulk Metal Powders in Hot Subsonic and Supersonic Oxygen Gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tylka, Jonathan

2016-01-01

Parts produced by additive manufacturing, particularly selective laser melting (SLM), have been shown to silt metal particulate even after undergoing stringent precision aerospace cleaning processes (Lowrey 2016). As printed parts are used in oxygen systems with increased pressures, temperatures, and gas velocity, the risk of ignition by particle impact, the most common direct ignition source of metals in oxygen, substantially increases. The White Sands Test Facility (WSTF), in collaboration with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), desires to test the ignitability of SLM metals by particle impact in heated oxygen. The existing test systems rely on gas velocity calculations to infer particle velocity in both subsonic and supersonic particle impact systems. Until now, it was not possible to directly measure particle velocity. To increase the fidelity of planned SLM ignition studies, it is necessary to validate that the Photon Doppler Velocimetry(PDV) test system can accurately measure particle velocity.

Spark Ignition Characteristics of a L02/LCH4 Engine at Altitude Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhenz, Julie; Sarmiento, Charles; Marshall, William

2012-01-01

The use of non-toxic propellants in future exploration vehicles would enable safer, more cost effective mission scenarios. One promising "green" alternative to existing hypergols is liquid methane/liquid oxygen. To demonstrate performance and prove feasibility of this propellant combination, a 100lbf LO2/LCH4 engine was developed and tested under the NASA Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development (PCAD) project. Since high ignition energy is a perceived drawback of this propellant combination, a test program was performed to explore ignition performance and reliability versus delivered spark energy. The sensitivity of ignition to spark timing and repetition rate was also examined. Three different exciter units were used with the engine s augmented (torch) igniter. Propellant temperature was also varied within the liquid range. Captured waveforms indicated spark behavior in hot fire conditions was inconsistent compared to the well-behaved dry sparks (in quiescent, room air). The escalating pressure and flow environment increases spark impedance and may at some point compromise an exciter s ability to deliver a spark. Reduced spark energies of these sparks result in more erratic ignitions and adversely affect ignition probability. The timing of the sparks relative to the pressure/flow conditions also impacted the probability of ignition. Sparks occurring early in the flow could trigger ignition with energies as low as 1-6mJ, though multiple, similarly timed sparks of 55-75mJ were required for reliable ignition. An optimum time interval for spark application and ignition coincided with propellant introduction to the igniter and engine. Shifts of ignition timing were manifested by changes in the characteristics of the resulting ignition.

Spark Ignition Characteristics of a LO2/LCH4 Engine at Altitude Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhenz, Julie; Sarmiento, Charles; Marshall, William

2012-01-01

The use of non-toxic propellants in future exploration vehicles would enable safer, more cost effective mission scenarios. One promising "green" alternative to existing hypergols is liquid methane/liquid oxygen. To demonstrate performance and prove feasibility of this propellant combination, a 100lbf LO2/LCH4 engine was developed and tested under the NASA Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development (PCAD) project. Since high ignition energy is a perceived drawback of this propellant combination, a test program was performed to explore ignition performance and reliability versus delivered spark energy. The sensitivity of ignition to spark timing and repetition rate was also examined. Three different exciter units were used with the engine's augmented (torch) igniter. Propellant temperature was also varied within the liquid range. Captured waveforms indicated spark behavior in hot fire conditions was inconsistent compared to the well-behaved dry sparks (in quiescent, room air). The escalating pressure and flow environment increases spark impedance and may at some point compromise an exciter.s ability to deliver a spark. Reduced spark energies of these sparks result in more erratic ignitions and adversely affect ignition probability. The timing of the sparks relative to the pressure/flow conditions also impacted the probability of ignition. Sparks occurring early in the flow could trigger ignition with energies as low as 1-6mJ, though multiple, similarly timed sparks of 55-75mJ were required for reliable ignition. An optimum time interval for spark application and ignition coincided with propellant introduction to the igniter and engine. Shifts of ignition timing were manifested by changes in the characteristics of the resulting ignition.

Simulations of electron transport and ignition for direct-drive fast-ignition targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solodov, A. A.; Anderson, K. S.; Betti, R.; Gotcheva, V.; Myatt, J.; Delettrez, J. A.; Skupsky, S.; Theobald, W.; Stoeckl, C.

2008-11-01

The performance of high-gain, fast-ignition fusion targets is investigated using one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of implosion and two-dimensional (2D) hybrid fluid-particle simulations of hot-electron transport, ignition, and burn. The 2D/3D hybrid-particle-in-cell code LSP [D. R. Welch et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 464, 134 (2001)] and the 2D fluid code DRACO [P. B. Radha et al., Phys. Plasmas 12, 056307 (2005)] are integrated to simulate the hot-electron transport and heating for direct-drive fast-ignition targets. LSP simulates the transport of hot electrons from the place where they are generated to the dense fuel core where their energy is absorbed. DRACO includes the physics required to simulate compression, ignition, and burn of fast-ignition targets. The self-generated resistive magnetic field is found to collimate the hot-electron beam, increase the coupling efficiency of hot electrons with the target, and reduce the minimum energy required for ignition. Resistive filamentation of the hot-electron beam is also observed. The minimum energy required for ignition is found for hot electrons with realistic angular spread and Maxwellian energy-distribution function.

Initiation and Modification of Reaction by Energy Addition: Kinetic and Transport Phenomena

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-10-01

ignition- delay time ranges from about 2 to 100 ps. The results of a computer- modeling calcu- lation of the chemical kinetics suggest that the...Page PROGRAM INFORMATION iii 1.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 2.0 ANALYSIS 2 3.0 EXPERIMENT 7 REFERENCES 8 APPENDIX I. Evaluating a Simple Model for Laminar...Flame-Propagation I-1 Rates. I. Planar Geometry. APPENDIX II. Evaluating a Simple Model for Laminar-Flame-Propagation II-1 Rates. II. Spherical

Experimental Validation and Combustion Modeling of a JP-8 Surrogate in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-15

SINGLE CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE Amit Shrestha, Umashankar Joshi, Ziliang Zheng, Tamer Badawy, Naeim A. Henein, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA...13-03-2014 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION AND COMBUSTION MODELING OF A JP-8 SURROGATE IN A SINGLE CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE 5a...INTERNATIONAL UNCLASSIFIED • Validate a two-component JP-8 surrogate in a single cylinder diesel engine. Validation parameters include – Ignition delay

Effect of Alcohol on Diesel Engine Combustion Operating with Biodiesel-Diesel Blend at Idling Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmudul, H. M.; Hagos, Ftwi. Y.; A, M. Mukhtar N.; Mamat, Rizalman; Abdullah, A. Adam

2018-03-01

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel to run the automotive engine. However, its blends have not been properly investigated during idling as it is the main problem to run the vehicles in a big city. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of alcohol additives such as butanol and ethanol on combustion parameters under idling conditions when a single cylinder diesel engine operates with diesel, diesel-biodiesel blends, and diesel biodiesel-alcohol blends. The engine combustion parameters such as peak pressure, heat release rate and ignition delay were computed. This investigation has revealed that alcohol blends with diesel and biodiesel, BU20 blend yield higher maximum peak cylinder pressure than diesel. B5 blend was found with the lowest energy release among all. B20 was slightly lower than diesel. BU20 blend was seen with the highest peak energy release where E20 blend was found advance than diesel. Among all, the blends alcohol component revealed shorter ignition delay. B5 and B20 blends were influenced by biodiesel interference and the burning fraction were found slightly slower than conventional diesel where BU20 and E20 blends was found slightly faster than diesel So, based on the result, it can be said that among the alcohol blends butanol and ethanol can be promising alternative at idling conditions and can be used without any engine modifications.

Combustion in a High-Speed Compression-Ignition Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothrock, A M

1933-01-01

An investigation conducted to determine the factors which control the combustion in a high-speed compression-ignition engine is presented. Indicator cards were taken with the Farnboro indicator and analyzed according to the tangent method devised by Schweitzer. The analysis show that in a quiescent combustion chamber increasing the time lag of auto-ignition increases the maximum rate of combustion. Increasing the maximum rate of combustion increases the tendency for detonation to occur. The results show that by increasing the air temperature during injection the start of combustion can be forced to take place during injection and so prevent detonation from occurring. It is shown that the rate of fuel injection does not in itself control the rate of combustion.

Experimental evidence of impact ignition: 100-fold increase of neutron yield by impactor collision.

PubMed

Azechi, H; Sakaiya, T; Watari, T; Karasik, M; Saito, H; Ohtani, K; Takeda, K; Hosoda, H; Shiraga, H; Nakai, M; Shigemori, K; Fujioka, S; Murakami, M; Nagatomo, H; Johzaki, T; Gardner, J; Colombant, D G; Bates, J W; Velikovich, A L; Aglitskiy, Y; Weaver, J; Obenschain, S; Eliezer, S; Kodama, R; Norimatsu, T; Fujita, H; Mima, K; Kan, H

2009-06-12

We performed integrated experiments on impact ignition, in which a portion of a deuterated polystyrene (CD) shell was accelerated to about 600 km/s and was collided with precompressed CD fuel. The kinetic energy of the impactor was efficiently converted into thermal energy generating a temperature of about 1.6 keV. We achieved a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the neutron yield by optimizing the timing of the impact collision, demonstrating the high potential of impact ignition for fusion energy production.

Climate, lightning ignitions, and fire severity in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Treesearch

James A. Lutz; Jan W. van Wagtendonk; Andrea E. Thode; Jay D. Miller; Jerry F. Franklin

2009-01-01

Continental-scale studies of western North America have attributed recent increases in annual area burned and fire size to a warming climate, but these studies have focused on large fires and have left the issues of fire severity and ignition frequency unaddressed. Lightning ignitions, any of which could burn a large area given appropriate conditions for fire spread,...

Laser ignition of liquid petroleum gas at elevated pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loktionov, E.; Pasechnikov, N.; Telekh, V.

2017-11-01

Recent development of laser spark plugs for internal combustion engines have shown lack of data on laser ignition of fuel mixtures at multi-bar pressures needed for laser pulse energy and focusing optimisation. Methane and hydrogen based mixtures are comparatively well investigated, but propane and butane based ones (LPG), which are widely used in vehicles, are still almost unstudied. Optical breakdown thresholds in gases decrease with pressure increase up to ca. 100 bar, but breakdown is not a sufficient condition for combustion ignition. So minimum ignition energy (MIE) becomes more important for combustion core onset, and its dependency on mixture composition and pressure has several important features. For example, unlike breakdown threshold, is poorly dependent on laser pulse length, at least in pico- and to microsecond range. We have defined experimentally the dependencies of minimum picosecond laser pulse energies (MIE related value) needed for ignition of LPG based mixtures of 1.0 to 1.6 equivalence ratios and pressure of 1.0 to 3.5 bar. In addition to expected values decrease, low-energy flammability range broadening has been found at pressure increase. Laser ignition of LPG in Wankel rotary engine is reported for the first time.

The structure and propagation of laminar flames under autoignitive conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krisman, Alex; Hawkes, Evatt R.; Chen, Jacqueline H.

Tmore » he laminar flame speed s l is an important reference quantity for characterising and modelling combustion. Experimental measurements of laminar flame speed require the residence time of the fuel/air mixture (τ f) to be shorter than the autoignition delay time (τ). his presents a considerable challenge for conditions where autoignition occurs rapidly, such as in compression ignition engines. As a result, experimental measurements in typical compression ignition engine conditions do not exist. Simulations of freely propagating premixed flames, where the burning velocity is found as an eigenvalue of the solution, are also not well posed in such conditions, since the mixture ahead of the flame can autoignite, leading to the so called “cold boundary problem”. In this paper, a numerical method for estimating a reference flame speed, s R, is proposed that is valid for laminar flame propagation at autoignitive conditions. wo isomer fuels are considered to test this method: ethanol, which in the considered conditions is a single-stage ignition fuel; and dimethyl ether, which has a temperature-dependent single- or two-stage ignition and a negative temperature coefficient regime for τ. Calculations are performed for the flame position in a one-dimensional computational domain with inflow-outflow boundary conditions, as a function of the inlet velocity U I and for stoichiometric fuel–air premixtures. he response of the flame position, L F, to U I shows distinct stabilisation regimes. For single-stage ignition fuels, at low U I the flame speed exceeds U I and the flame becomes attached to the inlet. Above a critical U I value, the flame detaches from the inlet and L f becomes extremely sensitive to U I until, for sufficiently high U I, the sensitivity decreases and L f corresponds to the location expected from a purely autoignition stabilised flame. he transition from the attached to the autoignition regimes has a corresponding peak dL f/dU I value which is proposed to be a unique reference flame speed s R for single-stage ignition fuels. For two-stage ignition fuels, there is an additional stable regime where a high-temperature flame propagates into a pool of combustion intermediates generated by the first stage of autoignition. his results in two peaks in dL f/dU I and therefore two reference flame speed values. he lower value corresponds to the definition of s R for single-stage ignition fuels, while the higher value exists only for two-stage ignition fuels and corresponds to a high temperature flame propagating into the first stage of autoignition and is denoted s R ' . Finally, a transport budget analysis for low- and high-temperature radical species is also performed, which confirms that the flame structures at U I = s R and U I = s R ' do indeed correspond to premixed flames (deflagrations), as opposed to spontaneous ignition fronts which do not have a unique propagation speed.« less

The structure and propagation of laminar flames under autoignitive conditions

DOE PAGES

Krisman, Alex; Hawkes, Evatt R.; Chen, Jacqueline H.

2017-11-05

Tmore » he laminar flame speed s l is an important reference quantity for characterising and modelling combustion. Experimental measurements of laminar flame speed require the residence time of the fuel/air mixture (τ f) to be shorter than the autoignition delay time (τ). his presents a considerable challenge for conditions where autoignition occurs rapidly, such as in compression ignition engines. As a result, experimental measurements in typical compression ignition engine conditions do not exist. Simulations of freely propagating premixed flames, where the burning velocity is found as an eigenvalue of the solution, are also not well posed in such conditions, since the mixture ahead of the flame can autoignite, leading to the so called “cold boundary problem”. In this paper, a numerical method for estimating a reference flame speed, s R, is proposed that is valid for laminar flame propagation at autoignitive conditions. wo isomer fuels are considered to test this method: ethanol, which in the considered conditions is a single-stage ignition fuel; and dimethyl ether, which has a temperature-dependent single- or two-stage ignition and a negative temperature coefficient regime for τ. Calculations are performed for the flame position in a one-dimensional computational domain with inflow-outflow boundary conditions, as a function of the inlet velocity U I and for stoichiometric fuel–air premixtures. he response of the flame position, L F, to U I shows distinct stabilisation regimes. For single-stage ignition fuels, at low U I the flame speed exceeds U I and the flame becomes attached to the inlet. Above a critical U I value, the flame detaches from the inlet and L f becomes extremely sensitive to U I until, for sufficiently high U I, the sensitivity decreases and L f corresponds to the location expected from a purely autoignition stabilised flame. he transition from the attached to the autoignition regimes has a corresponding peak dL f/dU I value which is proposed to be a unique reference flame speed s R for single-stage ignition fuels. For two-stage ignition fuels, there is an additional stable regime where a high-temperature flame propagates into a pool of combustion intermediates generated by the first stage of autoignition. his results in two peaks in dL f/dU I and therefore two reference flame speed values. he lower value corresponds to the definition of s R for single-stage ignition fuels, while the higher value exists only for two-stage ignition fuels and corresponds to a high temperature flame propagating into the first stage of autoignition and is denoted s R ' . Finally, a transport budget analysis for low- and high-temperature radical species is also performed, which confirms that the flame structures at U I = s R and U I = s R ' do indeed correspond to premixed flames (deflagrations), as opposed to spontaneous ignition fronts which do not have a unique propagation speed.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pal, Pinaki; Probst, Daniel; Pei, Yuanjiang

Fuels in the gasoline auto-ignition range (Research Octane Number (RON) > 60) have been demonstrated to be effective alternatives to diesel fuel in compression ignition engines. Such fuels allow more time for mixing with oxygen before combustion starts, owing to longer ignition delay. Moreover, by controlling fuel injection timing, it can be ensured that the in-cylinder mixture is “premixed enough” before combustion occurs to prevent soot formation while remaining “sufficiently inhomogeneous” in order to avoid excessive heat release rates. Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) has the potential to offer diesel-like efficiency at a lower cost and can be achieved with fuelsmore » such as low-octane straight run gasoline which require significantly less processing in the refinery compared to today’s fuels. To aid the design and optimization of a compression ignition (CI) combustion system using such fuels, a global sensitivity analysis (GSA) was conducted to understand the relative influence of various design parameters on efficiency, emissions and heat release rate. The design parameters included injection strategies, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) fraction, temperature and pressure at intake valve closure and injector configuration. These were varied simultaneously to achieve various targets of ignition timing, combustion phasing, overall burn duration, emissions, fuel consumption, peak cylinder pressure and maximum pressure rise rate. The baseline case was a three-dimensional closed-cycle computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with a sector mesh at medium load conditions. Eleven design parameters were considered and ranges of variation were prescribed to each of these. These input variables were perturbed in their respective ranges using the Monte Carlo (MC) method to generate a set of 256 CFD simulations and the targets were calculated from the simulation results. GSA was then applied as a screening tool to identify the input parameters having the most significant impact on each target. The results were further assessed by investigating the impact of individual parameter variations on the targets. Overall, it was demonstrated that GSA can be an effective tool in understanding parameters sensitive to a low temperature combustion concept with novel fuels.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keating, Edward; Gough, Charles

This report summarizes activities conducted in support of the project “The Application of High Energy Ignition and Boosting/Mixing Technology to Increase Fuel Economy in Spark Ignition Gasoline Engines by Increasing EGR Dilution Capability” under COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NUMBER DE-EE0005654, as outlined in the STATEMENT OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES (SOPO) dated May 2012.

Ignition and combustion of bulk metals in a microgravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Branch, Melvyn C.; Daily, J. W.; Abbud-Madrid, Angel

1994-01-01

Knowledge of the oxidation, ignition, and combustion of bulk metals is important for fire safety in the production, management, and utilization of liquid and gaseous oxygen for ground based and space applications. This report summarizes research under NASA support to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics of bulk metals under varying gravity conditions. Metal ignition and combustion have not been studied previously under these conditions and the results are important not only for improved fire safety but also to increase knowledge of basic ignition and combustion mechanisms. The studies completed to date have led to the development of a clean and reproducible ignition source and diagnostic techniques for combustion measurements and have provided normal gravity combustion data on ten different pure metals. Metal specimens were ignited using a xenon short-arc lamp and measurements were made of the radiant energy flux, surface temperature history, spectroscopy of surface and gas products, and surface morphology and chemistry. Elevated gravity was provided by the University of Colorado Geotechnical Centrifuge.

Chemical kinetic simulation of kerosene combustion in an individual flame tube.

PubMed

Zeng, Wen; Liang, Shuang; Li, Hai-Xia; Ma, Hong-An

2014-05-01

The use of detailed chemical reaction mechanisms of kerosene is still very limited in analyzing the combustion process in the combustion chamber of the aircraft engine. In this work, a new reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for fuel n-decane, which selected as a surrogate fuel for kerosene, containing 210 elemental reactions (including 92 reversible reactions and 26 irreversible reactions) and 50 species was developed, and the ignition and combustion characteristics of this fuel in both shock tube and flat-flame burner were kinetic simulated using this reduced reaction mechanism. Moreover, the computed results were validated by experimental data. The calculated values of ignition delay times at pressures of 12, 50 bar and equivalence ratio is 1.0, 2.0, respectively, and the main reactants and main products mole fractions using this reduced reaction mechanism agree well with experimental data. The combustion processes in the individual flame tube of a heavy duty gas turbine combustor were simulated by coupling this reduced reaction mechanism of surrogate fuel n-decane and one step reaction mechanism of surrogate fuel C12H23 into the computational fluid dynamics software. It was found that this reduced reaction mechanism is shown clear advantages in simulating the ignition and combustion processes in the individual flame tube over the one step reaction mechanism.

Impact Ignition and Combustion Behavior of Amorphous Metal-Based Reactive Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, Benjamin; Groven, Lori; Son, Steven

2013-06-01

Recently published molecular dynamic simulations have shown that metal-based reactive powder composites consisting of at least one amorphous component could lead to improved reaction performance due to amorphous materials having a zero heat of fusion, in addition to having high energy densities and potential uses such as structural energetic materials and enhanced blast materials. In order to investigate the feasibility of these systems, thermochemical equilibrium calculations were performed on various amorphous metal/metalloid based reactive systems with an emphasis on commercially available or easily manufactured amorphous metals, such as Zr and Ti based amorphous alloys in combination with carbon, boron, and aluminum. Based on the calculations and material availability material combinations were chosen. Initial materials were either mixed via a Resodyn mixer or mechanically activated using high energy ball milling where the microstructure of the milled material was characterized using x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical impact response and combustion behavior of select reactive systems was characterized using the Asay shear impact experiment where impact ignition thresholds, ignition delays, combustion velocities, and temperatures were quantified, and reported. Funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Grant Number HDTRA1-10-1-0119. Counter-WMD basic research program, Dr. Suhithi M. Peiris, program director is gratefully acknowledged.

Chemical kinetic simulation of kerosene combustion in an individual flame tube

PubMed Central

Zeng, Wen; Liang, Shuang; Li, Hai-xia; Ma, Hong-an

2013-01-01

The use of detailed chemical reaction mechanisms of kerosene is still very limited in analyzing the combustion process in the combustion chamber of the aircraft engine. In this work, a new reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for fuel n-decane, which selected as a surrogate fuel for kerosene, containing 210 elemental reactions (including 92 reversible reactions and 26 irreversible reactions) and 50 species was developed, and the ignition and combustion characteristics of this fuel in both shock tube and flat-flame burner were kinetic simulated using this reduced reaction mechanism. Moreover, the computed results were validated by experimental data. The calculated values of ignition delay times at pressures of 12, 50 bar and equivalence ratio is 1.0, 2.0, respectively, and the main reactants and main products mole fractions using this reduced reaction mechanism agree well with experimental data. The combustion processes in the individual flame tube of a heavy duty gas turbine combustor were simulated by coupling this reduced reaction mechanism of surrogate fuel n-decane and one step reaction mechanism of surrogate fuel C12H23 into the computational fluid dynamics software. It was found that this reduced reaction mechanism is shown clear advantages in simulating the ignition and combustion processes in the individual flame tube over the one step reaction mechanism. PMID:25685503

Engine Operating Conditions and Fuel Properties on Pre-Spark Heat Release and SPI Promotion in SI Engines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Splitter, Derek A; Kaul, Brian C; Szybist, James P

This work explores the dependence of fuel ignition delay on stochastic pre-ignition (SPI). Findings are based on bulk gas thermodynamic state, where the effects of kinetically controlled bulk gas pre-spark heat release (PSHR) are correlated to SPI tendency and magnitude. Specifically, residual gas and low temperature PSHR chemistry effects and observations are explored, which are found to be indicative of bulk gas conditions required for strong SPI events. Analyzed events range from non-knocking SPI to knocking SPI and even detonation SPI events in excess of 325 bar peak cylinder pressure. The work illustrates that singular SPI event count and magnitudemore » are found to be proportional to PSHR of the bulk gas mixture and residual gas fraction. Cycle-to-cycle variability in trapped residual mass and temperature are found to impose variability in singular SPI event count and magnitude. However, clusters and short lived bursts of multiple SPI events are found to better correlate with fuel-wall interaction. The results highlight the interplay of bulk gas thermodynamics and SPI ignition source, on SPI event magnitude and cluster tendency. Moreover, the results highlight fundamental fuel reactivity and associated hypersensitivity to operating conditions at SPI prone operating conditions.« less

Enhancing Ignition Probability and Fusion Yield in NIF Indirect Drive Targets with Applied Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, L. John; Logan, B. Grant; Ho, Darwin; Zimmerman, George; Rhodes, Mark; Blackfield, Donald; Hawkins, Steven

2017-10-01

Imposed magnetic fields of tens of Tesla that increase to greater than 10 kT (100 MGauss) under capsule compression may relax conditions for ignition and propagating burn in indirect-drive ICF targets. This may allow attainment of ignition, or at least significant fusion energy yields, in presently-performing ICF targets on the National Ignition Facility that today are sub-marginal for thermonuclear burn through adverse hydrodynamic conditions at stagnation. Results of detailed 2D radiation-hydrodynamic-burn simulations applied to NIF capsule implosions with low-mode shape perturbations and residual kinetic energy loss indicate that such compressed fields may increase the probability for ignition through range reduction of fusion alpha particles, suppression of electron heat conduction and stabilization of higher-mode RT instabilities. Optimum initial applied fields are around 50 T. Off-line testing has been performed of a hohlraum coil and pulsed power supply that could be integrated on NIF; axial fields of 58T were obtained. Given the full plasma structure at capsule stagnation may be governed by 3-D resistive MHD, the formation of closed magnetic field lines might further augment ignition prospects. Experiments are now required to assess the potential of applied magnetic fields to NIF ICF ignition and burn. Work performed under auspices of U.S. DOE by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Plane flame furnace combustion tests on JPL desulfurized coal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reuther, J. J.; Kim, H. T.; Lima, J. G. H.

1982-01-01

The combustion characteristics of three raw bituminous (PSOC-282 and 276) and subbituminous (PSOC-230) coals, the raw coals partially desulfurized (ca -60%) by JPL chlorinolysis, and the chlorinated coals more completely desulfurized (ca -75%) by JPL hydrodesulfurization were determined. The extent to which the combustion characteristics of the untreated coals were altered upon JPL sulfur removal was examined. Combustion conditions typical of utility boilers were simulated in the plane flame furnace. Upon decreasing the parent coal voltaile matter generically by 80% and the sulfur by 75% via the JPL desulfurization process, ignition time was delayed 70 fold, burning velocity was retarded 1.5 fold, and burnout time was prolonged 1.4 fold. Total flame residence time increased 2.3 fold. The JPL desulfurization process appears to show significant promise for producing technologically combustible and clean burning (low SO3) fuels.

Monochromatic x-ray radiography of laser-driven spherical targets using high-energy, picoseconds LFEX laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawada, Hiroshi; Fujioka, S.; Lee, S.; Arikawa, Y.; Shigemori, K.; Nagatomo, H.; Nishimura, H.; Sunahara, A.; Theobald, W.; Perez, F.; Patel, P. K.; Beg, F. N.

2015-11-01

Formation of a high density fusion fuel is essential in both conventional and advanced Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) schemes for the self-sustaining fusion process. In cone-guided Fast Ignition (FI), a metal cone is attached to a spherical target to maintain the path for the injection of an intense short-pulse ignition laser from blow-off plasma created when nanoseconds compression lasers drive the target. We have measured a temporal evolution of a compressed deuterated carbon (CD) sphere using 4.5 keV K-alpha radiography with the Kilo-Joule, picosecond LFEX laser at the Institute of Laser Engineering. A 200 μm CD sphere attached to the tip of a Au cone was directly driven by 9 Gekko XII beams with 300 J/beam in a 1.3 ns Gaussian pulse. The LFEX laser irradiated on a Ti foil to generate 4.51 Ti K-alpha x-ray. By varying the delay between the compression and backlighter lasers, the measured radiograph images show an increase of the areal density of the imploded target. The detail of the quantitative analyses to infer the areal density and comparisons to hydrodynamics simulations will be presented. This work was performed with the support and under the auspices of the NIFS Collaboration Research program (NIFS13KUGK072). H.S. was supported by the UNR's International Activities Grant program.

Laser ignition - Spark plug development and application in reciprocating engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavel, Nicolaie; Bärwinkel, Mark; Heinz, Peter; Brüggemann, Dieter; Dearden, Geoff; Croitoru, Gabriela; Grigore, Oana Valeria

2018-03-01

Combustion is one of the most dominant energy conversion processes used in all areas of human life, but global concerns over exhaust gas pollution and greenhouse gas emission have stimulated further development of the process. Lean combustion and exhaust gas recirculation are approaches to improve the efficiency and to reduce pollutant emissions; however, such measures impede reliable ignition when applied to conventional ignition systems. Therefore, alternative ignition systems are a focus of scientific research. Amongst others, laser induced ignition seems an attractive method to improve the combustion process. In comparison with conventional ignition by electric spark plugs, laser ignition offers a number of potential benefits. Those most often discussed are: no quenching of the combustion flame kernel; the ability to deliver (laser) energy to any location of interest in the combustion chamber; the possibility of delivering the beam simultaneously to different positions, and the temporal control of ignition. If these advantages can be exploited in practice, the engine efficiency may be improved and reliable operation at lean air-fuel mixtures can be achieved, making feasible savings in fuel consumption and reduction in emission of exhaust gasses. Therefore, laser ignition can enable important new approaches to address global concerns about the environmental impact of continued use of reciprocating engines in vehicles and power plants, with the aim of diminishing pollutant levels in the atmosphere. The technology can also support increased use of electrification in powered transport, through its application to ignition of hybrid (electric-gas) engines, and the efficient combustion of advanced fuels. In this work, we review the progress made over the last years in laser ignition research, in particular that aimed towards realizing laser sources (or laser spark plugs) with dimensions and properties suitable for operating directly on an engine. The main envisaged solutions for positioning of the laser spark plug, i.e. placing it apart from or directly on the engine, are introduced. The path taken from the first solution proposed, to build a compact laser suitable for ignition, to the practical realization of a laser spark plug is described. Results obtained by ignition of automobile test engines, with laser devices that resemble classical spark plugs, are specifically discussed. It is emphasized that technological advances have brought this method of laser ignition close to the application and installation in automobiles powered by gasoline engines. Achievements made in the laser ignition of natural gas engines are outlined, as well as the utilization of laser ignition in other applications. Scientific and technical advances have allowed realization of laser devices with multiple (up to four) beam outputs, but many other important aspects (such as integration, thermal endurance or vibration strength) are still to be solved. Recent results of multi-beam ignition of a single-cylinder engine in a test bench set-up are encouraging and have led to increased research interest in this direction. A fundamental understanding of the processes involved in laser ignition is crucial in order to exploit the technology's full potential. Therefore, several measurement techniques, primarily optical types, used to characterize the laser ignition process are reviewed in this work.

Effect of Hydrogen Addition on Methane HCCI Engine Ignition Timing and Emissions Using a Multi-zone Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zi-han; Wang, Chun-mei; Tang, Hua-xin; Zuo, Cheng-ji; Xu, Hong-ming

2009-06-01

Ignition timing control is of great importance in homogeneous charge compression ignition engines. The effect of hydrogen addition on methane combustion was investigated using a CHEMKIN multi-zone model. Results show that hydrogen addition advances ignition timing and enhances peak pressure and temperature. A brief analysis of chemical kinetics of methane blending hydrogen is also performed in order to investigate the scope of its application, and the analysis suggests that OH radical plays an important role in the oxidation. Hydrogen addition increases NOx while decreasing HC and CO emissions. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) also advances ignition timing; however, its effects on emissions are generally the opposite. By adjusting the hydrogen addition and EGR rate, the ignition timing can be regulated with a low emission level. Investigation into zones suggests that NOx is mostly formed in core zones while HC and CO mostly originate in the crevice and the quench layer.

SEM Characterization of Extinguished Grains from Plasma-Ignited M30 Charges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kinkennon, A.; Birk, A.; DelGuercio, M.; Kaste, P.; Lieb, R.; Newberry, J.; Pesce-Rodriguez, R.; Schroeder, M.

2000-01-01

M30 propellant grains that had been ignited in interrupted closed bomb experiments were characterize by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Previous chemical analysis of extinguished grains had given no indications of plasma-propellant chemical interactions that could explain the increased burning rates that had been previously observed in full-pressure closed bomb experiments. (This does not mean that there is no unique chemistry occurring with plasma ignition. It may occur very early in the ignition event and then become obscured by the burning chemistry.) In this work, SEM was used to look at grain morphologies to determine if there were increases in the surface areas of the plasma-ignited grains which would contribute to the apparent increase in the burning rate. Charges were made using 30 propellant grains (approximately 32 grams) stacked in two tiers and in two concentric circles around a plastic straw. Each grain was notched so that, when the grains were expelled from the bomb during extinguishment, it could be determined in which tier and which circle each grain was originally packed. Charges were ignited in a closed bomb by either a nickel wire/Mylar-capillary plasma or black powder. The bomb contained a blowout disk that ruptured when the pressure reached 35 MPa, and the propellant was vented into a collection chamber packed with polyurethane foam. SEM analysis of the grains fired with a conventional black powder igniter showed no signs of unusual burning characteristics. The surfaces seemed to be evenly burned on the exteriors of the grains and in the perforations. Grains that had been subjected to plasma ignition, however, had pits, gouges, chasms, and cracks in the surfaces. The sides of the grains closest to the plasma had the greatest amount of damage, but even surfaces facing the outer wall of the bomb had small pits. The perforations contained gouges and abnormally burned regions (wormholes) that extended into the web. The SEM photos indicated that a grain from the top tier, which was farther away from the plasma ignition source, sustained more plasma-induced damage to the perforations and the web than did the grains on the bottom tier.

Investigation of Ignition Delay: Novel Beta-Substituted Ethylazide Derivatives as Potential New Liquid Propellant Fuels (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-09

Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy and Liquid atography ( LC ). Surprisingly the NMR shifts of the characteristic ethyl peaks were not pronounced .2 ppm...regardless of the conditions, UDMH and 2-chloroethyl azide did not react in H H N3 solven butylhy was re repeat and ch Chrom (only 0 group appear these m...unlike what one might expect from replacing a strong withdrawing group with a donating like an amine. In contrast, the peaks attributed to the

Electrospray of 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dicyanamide Under Variable Flow Rate Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-27

cm length. The capillary needle is stainless steel with a tapered tip of 50 μm inner diameter and 3.5 cm length. Both capillaries are commercially...connected. Figure 8 shows the emission current results of a 50 μm stainless - steel tip over the same IL flow rate range as Fig. 5. The emitter... fuming nitric acid, resulting in an ignition delay time of 47 ms, longer than the desired maximumof 5ms.Numerical predictions byBerg andRovey [18,19

Theory investigation progress of DMAZ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Hui; Mu, Xiaogang; Zhang, Yue; Wang, Xuanjun

2017-05-01

The recent progress in the theoretical study of N, N-dimethyl-2-azidoethylamine (DMAZ), a new type of azide fuel, is summarized. Thermodynamic Properties (such as Enthalpy-of-Formation, Enthalpy-of-Vaporization, and Enthalpy-of-Sublimation), conformers, Spectrums, the Henry's constant, ignition delay et al. are studied by Density Functional Theory (DFT). It is proved that DMAZ has good performance with a density impulse 2.499 Ns/m3, and has a good application prospect in replacing the traditional hydrazine propellant methyl-hydrazine (MMH).

Ignition characteristics of the iron-based alloy UNS S66286 in pressurized oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bransford, James W.; Billard, Phillip A.; Hurley, James A.; Mcdermott, Kathleen M.; Vazquez, Isaura

1988-01-01

The development of ignition and combustion in pressurized oxygen atmospheres was studied for the iron based alloy UNS S66286. Ignition of the alloy was achieved by heating the top surface of a cylindrical specimen with a continuous-wave CO2 laser. Two heating procedures were used. In the first, laser power was adjusted to maintain an approximately linear increase in surface temperature. In the second, laser power was periodically increased until autoheating (self-heating) was established. It was found that the alloy would autoheat to destruction from temperatures below the solidus temperature. In addition endothermic events occurred as the alloy was heated, many at reproducible temperatures. Many endothermic events occurred prior to abrupt increases in surface temperature and appeared to accelerate the rate of increase in specimen temperature to rates greater than what would be expected from increased temperature alone. It is suggested that the source of these endotherms may increase the oxidation rate of the alloy. Ignition parameters are defined and the temperatures at which these parameters occur are given for the oxygen pressure range of 1.72 to 13.8 MPa (25 to 2000 psia).

Microgravity ignition experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Motevalli, Vahid; Elliott, William; Garrant, Keith

1992-01-01

The purpose of this project is to develop a flight ready apparatus of the microgravity ignition experiment for the GASCan 2 program. This involved redesigning, testing, and making final modifications to the existing apparatus. The microgravity ignition experiment is intended to test the effect of microgravity on the time to ignition of a sample of alpha-cellulose paper. An infrared heat lamp is used to heat the paper sample within a sealed canister. The interior of the canister was redesigned to increase stability and minimize conductive heat transfer to the sample. This design was fabricated and tested and a heat transfer model of the paper sample was developed.

Optimum hot electron production with low-density foams for laser fusion by fast ignition.

PubMed

Lei, A L; Tanaka, K A; Kodama, R; Kumar, G R; Nagai, K; Norimatsu, T; Yabuuchi, T; Mima, K

2006-06-30

We propose a foam cone-in-shell target design aiming at optimum hot electron production for the fast ignition. A thin low-density foam is proposed to cover the inner tip of a gold cone inserted in a fuel shell. An intense laser is then focused on the foam to generate hot electrons for the fast ignition. Element experiments demonstrate increased laser energy coupling efficiency into hot electrons without increasing the electron temperature and beam divergence with foam coated targets in comparison with solid targets. This may enhance the laser energy deposition in the compressed fuel plasma.

Environmental drivers and spatial dependency in wildfire ignition patterns of northwestern Patagonia.

PubMed

Mundo, Ignacio A; Wiegand, Thorsten; Kanagaraj, Rajapandian; Kitzberger, Thomas

2013-07-15

Fire management requires an understanding of the spatial characteristics of fire ignition patterns and how anthropogenic and natural factors influence ignition patterns across space. In this study we take advantage of a recent fire ignition database (855 points) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the spatial pattern of fire ignitions in the western area of Neuquén province (57,649 km(2)), Argentina, for the 1992-2008 period. The objectives of our study were to better understand the spatial pattern and the environmental drivers of the fire ignitions, with the ultimate aim of supporting fire management. We conducted our analyses on three different levels: statistical "habitat" modelling of fire ignition (natural, anthropogenic, and all causes) based on an information theoretic approach to test several competing hypotheses on environmental drivers (i.e. topographic, climatic, anthropogenic, land cover, and their combinations); spatial point pattern analysis to quantify additional spatial autocorrelation in the ignition patterns; and quantification of potential spatial associations between fires of different causes relative to towns using a novel implementation of the independence null model. Anthropogenic fire ignitions were best predicted by the most complex habitat model including all groups of variables, whereas natural ignitions were best predicted by topographic, climatic and land-cover variables. The spatial pattern of all ignitions showed considerable clustering at intermediate distances (<40 km) not captured by the probability of fire ignitions predicted by the habitat model. There was a strong (linear) and highly significant increase in the density of fire ignitions with decreasing distance to towns (<5 km), but fire ignitions of natural and anthropogenic causes were statistically independent. A two-dimensional habitat model that quantifies differences between ignition probabilities of natural and anthropogenic causes allows fire managers to delineate target areas for consideration of major preventive treatments, strategic placement of fuel treatments, and forecasting of fire ignition. The techniques presented here can be widely applied to situations where a spatial point pattern is jointly influenced by extrinsic environmental factors and intrinsic point interactions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal analysis and kinetics of coal during oxy-fuel combustion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosowska-Golachowska, Monika

2017-08-01

The pyrolysis and oxy-fuel combustion characteristics of Polish bituminous coal were studied using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Pyrolysis tests showed that the mass loss profiles were almost similar up to 870°C in both N2 and CO2 atmospheres, while further mass loss occurred in CO2 atmosphere at higher temperatures due to char-CO2 gasification. Replacement of N2 in the combustion environment by CO2 delayed the combustion of bituminous coal. At elevated oxygen levels, TG/DTG profiles shifted through lower temperature zone, ignition and burnout temperatures decreased and mass loss rate significantly increased and complete combustion was achieved at lower temperatures and shorter times. Kinetic analysis for the tested coal was performed using Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method. The activation energies of bituminous coal combustion at the similar oxygen content in oxy-fuel with that of air were higher than that in air atmosphere. The results indicated that, with O2 concentration increasing, the activation energies decreased.

High-speed pulse-shape generator, pulse multiplexer

DOEpatents

Burkhart, Scott C.

2002-01-01

The invention combines arbitrary amplitude high-speed pulses for precision pulse shaping for the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The circuitry combines arbitrary height pulses which are generated by replicating scaled versions of a trigger pulse and summing them delayed in time on a pulse line. The combined electrical pulses are connected to an electro-optic modulator which modulates a laser beam. The circuit can also be adapted to combine multiple channels of high speed data into a single train of electrical pulses which generates the optical pulses for very high speed optical communication. The invention has application in laser pulse shaping for inertial confinement fusion, in optical data links for computers, telecommunications, and in laser pulse shaping for atomic excitation studies. The invention can be used to effect at least a 10.times. increase in all fiber communication lines. It allows a greatly increased data transfer rate between high-performance computers. The invention is inexpensive enough to bring high-speed video and data services to homes through a super modem.

Drivers and implications of recent large fire years in boreal North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veraverbeke, S.; Rogers, B. M.; Goulden, M.; Jandt, R.; Miller, C. E.; Wiggins, E. B.; Randerson, J. T.

2016-12-01

High latitude ecosystems are rapidly transforming because of climate change. Boreal North America recently experienced two exceptionally large fire years: 2014 in the Northwest Territories, Canada, and 2015 in Alaska, USA. We used geospatial climate, lightning, fire, and vegetation datasets to assess the mechanisms contributing to these recent extreme years and to the causes of recent decadal-scale changes in fire dynamics. We found that the two events had a record number of lightning ignitions and unusually high levels of burning near the boreal treeline, contributing to emissions of 164 ± 32 Tg C in the Northwest Territories and 65 ± 13 Tg C in Interior Alaska. The annual number ignitions in both regions displayed a significant increasing trend since 1975, driven by an increase in lightning ignitions. We found that vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in June, lightning, and ignition events were significantly correlated on interannual timescales. Future climate-driven increases in VPD and lightning near the treeline ecotone may enable northward forest expansion within tundra ecosystems.

Alaska’s changing fire regime - Implications for the vulnerability of its boreal forests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kasischke, Eric S.; Verbyla, David L.; Rupp, T. Scott; McGuire, A. David; Murphy, Karen A.; Jandt, R.; Barnes, Jennifer L.; Hoy, E.; Duffy, Paul A.; Calef, Monika; Turetsky, Merritt R.

2010-01-01

A synthesis was carried out to examine Alaska’s boreal forest fire regime. During the 2000s, an average of 767 000 ha·year–1 burned, 50% higher than in any previous decade since the 1940s. Over the past 60 years, there was a decrease in the number of lightning-ignited fires, an increase in extreme lightning-ignited fire events, an increase in human-ignited fires, and a decrease in the number of extreme human-ignited fire events. The fraction of area burned from human-ignited fires fell from 26% for the 1950s and 1960s to 5% for the 1990s and 2000s, a result from the change in fire policy that gave the highest suppression priorities to fire events that occurred near human settlements. The amount of area burned during late-season fires increased over the past two decades. Deeper burning of surface organic layers in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) forests occurred during late-growing-season fires and on more well-drained sites. These trends all point to black spruce forests becoming increasingly vulnerable to the combined changes of key characteristics of Alaska’s fire regime, except on poorly drained sites, which are resistant to deep burning. The implications of these fire regime changes to the vulnerability and resilience of Alaska’s boreal forests and land and fire management are discussed.

Laser-induced breakdown ignition in a gas fed two-stroke engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loktionov, E. Y.; Pasechnikov, N. A.; Telekh, V. D.

2018-01-01

Laser-induced ignition for internal combustion engines is investigated intensively after demonstration of a compact ‘laser plug’ possibility. Laser spark benefits as compared to traditional spark plugs are higher compression rate, and possibility of almost any fuel ignition, so lean mixtures burning with lower temperatures could reduce harmful exhausts (NO x , CH, etc). No need in electrode and possibility for multi-point, linear or circular ignition can make combustion even more effective. Laser induced combustion wave appears faster and is more stable in time, than electric one, so can be used for ramjets, chemical thrusters, and gas turbines. To the best of our knowledge, we have performed laser spark ignition of a gas fed two-stroke engine for the first time. Combustion temperature and pressure, exhaust composition, ignition timing were investigated at laser and compared to a regular electric spark ignition in a two-stroke model engine. Presented results show possibility for improvement of two-stroke engines performance, in terms of rotation rate increase and NO x emission reduction. Such compact engines using locally mined fuel could be highly demanded in remote Arctic areas.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tarver, C M

Recent laser ignition experiments on octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-terrazocine (HMX) and 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) subjected to laser fluxes ranging from 10 to 800 W/cm{sup 2} produced ignition times from seconds to milliseconds. Global chemical kinetic thermal decomposition models for HMX and TATB have been developed to calculate times to thermal explosion for experiments in the seconds to days time frame. These models are applied to the laser ignition experimental data in this paper. Excellent agreement was obtained for TATB, while the calculated ignition times were longer than experiment for HMX at lower laser fluxes. At the temperatures produced in the laser experiments, HMX melts.more » Melting generally increases condensed phase reaction rates so faster rates were used for three of the HMX reaction rates. This improved agreement with experiments at the lower laser fluxes but yielded very fast ignition at high fluxes. The calculated times to ignition are in reasonable agreement with the laser ignition experiments, and this justifies the use of these models for estimating reaction times at impact and shock ''hot spot'' temperatures.« less

Effects of Fuel Laminar Flame Speed Compared to Engine Tumble Ratio, Ignition Energy, and Injection Strategy on Lean and EGR Dilute Spark Ignition Combustion

DOE PAGES

Kolodziej, Christopher P.; Pamminger, Michael; Sevik, James; ...

2017-03-28

Previously we show that fuels with higher laminar flame speed also have increased tolerance to EGR dilution. In this work, the effects of fuel laminar flame speed on both lean and EGR dilute spark ignition combustion stability were examined. Fuels blends of pure components (iso-octane, n-heptane, toluene, ethanol, and methanol) were derived at two levels of laminar flame speed. Each fuel blend was tested in a single-cylinder spark-ignition engine under both lean-out and EGR dilution sweeps until the coefficient of variance of indicated mean effective pressure increased above thresholds of 3% and 5%. The relative importance of fuel laminar flamemore » speed to changes to engine design parameters (spark ignition energy, tumble ratio, and port vs. direct injection) was also assessed. Our results showed that fuel laminar flame speed can have as big an effect on lean or EGR dilute engine operation as engine design parameters, with the largest effects seen during EGR dilute operation and when changes were made to cylinder charge motion.« less

Effects of Fuel Laminar Flame Speed Compared to Engine Tumble Ratio, Ignition Energy, and Injection Strategy on Lean and EGR Dilute Spark Ignition Combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolodziej, Christopher P.; Pamminger, Michael; Sevik, James

Previously we show that fuels with higher laminar flame speed also have increased tolerance to EGR dilution. In this work, the effects of fuel laminar flame speed on both lean and EGR dilute spark ignition combustion stability were examined. Fuels blends of pure components (iso-octane, n-heptane, toluene, ethanol, and methanol) were derived at two levels of laminar flame speed. Each fuel blend was tested in a single-cylinder spark-ignition engine under both lean-out and EGR dilution sweeps until the coefficient of variance of indicated mean effective pressure increased above thresholds of 3% and 5%. The relative importance of fuel laminar flamemore » speed to changes to engine design parameters (spark ignition energy, tumble ratio, and port vs. direct injection) was also assessed. Our results showed that fuel laminar flame speed can have as big an effect on lean or EGR dilute engine operation as engine design parameters, with the largest effects seen during EGR dilute operation and when changes were made to cylinder charge motion.« less

Use of laser-induced spark for studying ignition stability and unburned hydrogen escaping from laminar diluted hydrogen diffusion jet flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phuoc, Tran X.; Chen, Ruey-Hung

2007-08-01

Ignition and unburned hydrogen escaping from hydrogen jet diffusion flames diluted with nitrogen up to 70% were experimentally studied. The successful ignition locations were about 2/3 of the flame length above the jet exit for undiluted flames and moved much closer to the exit for diluted flames. For higher levels of dilution or higher flow rates, there existed a region within which a diluted hydrogen diffusion flame can be ignited and burns with a stable liftoff height. This is contrary to previous findings that pure and diluted hydrogen jet diffusion cannot achieve a stable lifted flame configuration. With liftoff, the flame is noisy and short with significant amount of unburned hydrogen escaping into the product gases. If ignition is initiated below this region, the flame propagates upstream quickly and attaches to the burner rim. Results from measurements of unburned hydrogen in the combustion products showed that the amount of unburned hydrogen increased as the nitrogen dilution level was increased. Thus, hydrogen diffusion flame diluted with nitrogen cannot burn completely.

Compression-ignition engine performance with undoped and doped fuel oils and alcohol mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Charles S; Foster, Hampton H

1939-01-01

Several fuel oils, doped fuel oils, and mixtures of alcohol and fuel oil were tested in a high-speed, single-cylinder, compression-ignition engine to determine power output, fuel consumption, and ignition and combustion characteristics. Fuel oils or doped fuel oils of high octane number had shorter ignition lags, lower rates of pressure rise, and gave smoother engine operation than fuel oils or doped fuel oils of low octane number. Higher engine rotative speeds and boost pressures resulted in smoother engine operation and permitted the use of fuel oils of relatively low octane number. Although the addition of a dope to a fuel oil decreased the ignition lag and the rate of pressure rise, the ensuing rate of combustion was somewhat slower than for the undoped fuel oil so that the effectiveness of combustion was practically unchanged. Alcohol used as an auxiliary fuel, either as a mixture or by separate injection, increased the rates of pressure rise and induced roughness. In general, the power output decreased as the proportion of alcohol increased and, below maximum power, varied with the heating value of the total fuel charge.

Igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber deflection test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, M.

1990-01-01

Testing was performed to determine the maximum RSRM igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber joint deflection at the crown of the inner joint primary seal. The deflection data was gathered to support igniter inner joint gasket resiliency predictions which led to launch commit criteria temperature determinations. The proximity (deflection) gage holes for the first test (Test No. 1) were incorrectly located; therefore, the test was declared a non-test. Prior to Test No. 2, test article configuration was modified with the correct proximity gage locations. Deflection data were successfully acquired during Test No. 2. However, the proximity gage deflection measurements were adversely affected by temperature increases. Deflections measured after the temperature rise at the proximity gages were considered unreliable. An analysis was performed to predict the maximum deflections based on the reliable data measured before the detectable temperature rise. Deflections to the primary seal crown location were adjusted to correspond to the time of maximum expected operating pressure (2,159 psi) to account for proximity gage bias, and to account for maximum attach and special bolt relaxation. The maximum joint deflection for the igniter inner joint at the crown of the primary seal, accounting for all significant correction factors, was 0.0031 in. (3.1 mil). Since the predicted (0.003 in.) and tested maximum deflection values were sufficiently close, the launch commit criteria was not changed as a result of this test. Data from this test should be used to determine if the igniter inner joint gasket seals are capable of maintaining sealing capability at a joint displacement of (1.4) x (0.0031 in.) = 0.00434 inches. Additional testing should be performed to increase the database on igniter deflections and address launch commit criteria temperatures.

Lagged cumulative spruce budworm defoliation affects the risk of fire ignition in Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

James, Patrick M A; Robert, Louis-Etienne; Wotton, B Mike; Martell, David L; Fleming, Richard A

2017-03-01

Detailed understanding of forest disturbance interactions is needed for effective forecasting, modelling, and management. Insect outbreaks are a significant forest disturbance that alters forest structure as well as the distribution and connectivity of combustible fuels at broad spatial scales. The effect of insect outbreaks on fire activity is an important but contentious issue with significant policy consequences. The eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is a native defoliating insect in eastern North America whose periodic outbreaks create large patches of dead fir and spruce trees. Of particular concern to fire and forest managers is whether these patches represent an increased fire risk, if so, for how long, and how the relationship between defoliation and fire risk varies through space and time. Previous work suggests a temporary increase in flammability in budworm-killed forests, but regional and seasonal variability in these relationships has not been examined. Using an extensive database on historical lightning-caused fire ignitions and spruce budworm defoliation between 1963 and 2000, we assess the relative importance of cumulative defoliation and fire weather on the probability of ignition in Ontario, Canada. We modeled fire ignition using a generalized additive logistic regression model that accounts for temporal autocorrelation in fire weather. We compared two ecoregions in eastern Ontario (Abitibi Plains) and western Ontario (Lake of the Woods) that differ in terms of climate, geomorphology, and forest composition. We found that defoliation has the potential to both increase and decrease the probability of ignition depending on the time scale, ecoregion, and season examined. Most importantly, we found that lagged spruce budworm defoliation (8-10 yr) increases the risk of fire ignition whereas recent defoliation (1 yr) can decrease this risk. We also found that historical defoliation has a greater influence on ignition risk during the spring than during the summer fire season. Given predicted increases in forest insect activity due to global change, these results represent important information for fire management agencies that can be used to refine existing models of fire risk. © 2016 by the Ecological Society of America.

Influence of laser induced hot electrons on the threshold for shock ignition of fusion reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colaïtis, A.; Ribeyre, X.; Le Bel, E.; Duchateau, G.; Nicolaï, Ph.; Tikhonchuk, V.

2016-07-01

The effects of Hot Electrons (HEs) generated by the nonlinear Laser-Plasma Interaction (LPI) on the dynamics of Shock Ignition Inertial Confinement Fusion targets are investigated. The coupling between the laser beam, plasma dynamics and hot electron generation and propagation is described with a radiative hydrodynamics code using an inline model based on Paraxial Complex Geometrical Optics [Colaïtis et al., Phys. Rev. E 92, 041101 (2015)]. Two targets are considered: the pure-DT HiPER target and a CH-DT design with baseline spike powers of the order of 200-300 TW. In both cases, accounting for the LPI-generated HEs leads to non-igniting targets when using the baseline spike powers. While HEs are found to increase the ignitor shock pressure, they also preheat the bulk of the imploding shell, notably causing its expansion and contamination of the hotspot with the dense shell material before the time of shock convergence. The associated increase in hotspot mass (i) increases the ignitor shock pressure required to ignite the fusion reactions and (ii) significantly increases the power losses through Bremsstrahlung X-ray radiation, thus rapidly cooling the hotspot. These effects are less prominent for the CH-DT target where the plastic ablator shields the lower energy LPI-HE spectrum. Simulations using higher laser spike powers of 500 TW suggest that the CH-DT capsule marginally ignites, with an ignition window width significantly smaller than without LPI-HEs, and with three quarters of the baseline target yield. The latter effect arises from the relation between the shock launching time and the shell areal density, which becomes relevant in presence of a LPI-HE preheating.

Experimental investigation of piston heat transfer under conventional diesel and reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion regimes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Splitter, Derek A; Hendricks, Terry Lee; Ghandhi, Jaal B

2014-01-01

The piston of a heavy-duty single-cylinder research engine was instrumented with 11 fast-response surface thermocouples, and a commercial wireless telemetry system was used to transmit the signals from the moving piston. The raw thermocouple data were processed using an inverse heat conduction method that included Tikhonov regularization to recover transient heat flux. By applying symmetry, the data were compiled to provide time-resolved spatial maps of the piston heat flux and surface temperature. A detailed comparison was made between conventional diesel combustion and reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion operations at matched conditions of load, speed, boost pressure, and combustion phasing. The integratedmore » piston heat transfer was found to be 24% lower, and the mean surface temperature was 25 C lower for reactivity-controlled compression ignition operation as compared to conventional diesel combustion, in spite of the higher peak heat release rate. Lower integrated piston heat transfer for reactivity-controlled compression ignition was found over all the operating conditions tested. The results showed that increasing speed decreased the integrated heat transfer for conventional diesel combustion and reactivity-controlled compression ignition. The effect of the start of injection timing was found to strongly influence conventional diesel combustion heat flux, but had a negligible effect on reactivity-controlled compression ignition heat flux, even in the limit of near top dead center high-reactivity fuel injection timings. These results suggest that the role of the high-reactivity fuel injection does not significantly affect the thermal environment even though it is important for controlling the ignition timing and heat release rate shape. The integrated heat transfer and the dynamic surface heat flux were found to be insensitive to changes in boost pressure for both conventional diesel combustion and reactivity-controlled compression ignition. However, for reactivity-controlled compression ignition, the mean surface temperature increased with changes in boost suggesting that equivalence ratio affects steady-state heat transfer.« less

Ignition and combustion of bulk metals at normal, elevated and reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Branch, Melvyn C.; Daily, John W.; Abbud-Madrid, Angel

1995-01-01

Knowledge of the oxidation, ignition, and combustion of bulk metals is important for fire safety in the production, management, and utilization of liquid and gaseous oxygen for ground based and space applications. This proposal outlines studies in continuation of research initiated earlier under NASA support to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics of bulk metals under varying gravity conditions. Metal ignition and combustion have not been studied previously under these conditions and the results are important not only for improved fire safety but also to increase knowledge of basic ignition and combustion mechanisms. The studies completed to date have led to the development of a clean and reproducible ignition source and diagnostic techniques for combustion measurements and have provided normal, elevated, and reduced gravity combustion data on a variety of different pure metals. The research conducted under this grant will use the apparatus and techniques developed earlier to continue the elevated and low gravity experiments, and to develop the overall modeling of the ignition and combustion process. Metal specimens are to be ignited using a xenon short-arc lamp and measurements are to be made of the ignition energy, surface temperature history, burning rates, spectroscopy of surface and gas products, and surface morphology and chemistry. Elevated gravity will be provided by the University of Colorado Geotechnical Centrifuge and microgravity will be obtained in NASA's DC-9 Reduced Gravity aircraft.

Optimization and analysis of large chemical kinetic mechanisms using the solution mapping method - Combustion of methane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frenklach, Michael; Wang, Hai; Rabinowitz, Martin J.

1992-01-01

A method of systematic optimization, solution mapping, as applied to a large-scale dynamic model is presented. The basis of the technique is parameterization of model responses in terms of model parameters by simple algebraic expressions. These expressions are obtained by computer experiments arranged in a factorial design. The developed parameterized responses are then used in a joint multiparameter multidata-set optimization. A brief review of the mathematical background of the technique is given. The concept of active parameters is discussed. The technique is applied to determine an optimum set of parameters for a methane combustion mechanism. Five independent responses - comprising ignition delay times, pre-ignition methyl radical concentration profiles, and laminar premixed flame velocities - were optimized with respect to thirteen reaction rate parameters. The numerical predictions of the optimized model are compared to those computed with several recent literature mechanisms. The utility of the solution mapping technique in situations where the optimum is not unique is also demonstrated.

Fabrics for fire resistant passenger seats in aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tesoro, G. C.

1978-01-01

The essential elements of the problem and of approaches to improved fire resistance in aircraft seats are reviewed. The performance requirements and availability of materials, delay in the ignition of upholstery fabric by a small source are considered a realistic objective. Results of experimental studies on the thermal response of fabrics and fabric/foam combinations suggest significant conclusions regarding: (1) the ignition behavior of a commercial 90/10 wool/nylon upholstery fabric relative to fabrics made from thermally stable polymers; (2) the role of the foam backing; (3) the behavior of seams. These results, coupled with data from other sources, also confirm the importance of materials' interactions in multicomponent assemblies, and the need for system testing prior to materials' selection. The use of an interlinear or thermal barrier between upholstery fabric and foam is a promising and viable approach to improved fire resistance of the seat assembly, but experimental evaluation of specific combinations of materials or systems is an essential part of the selection process.

Quantum Tunneling Affects Engine Performance.

PubMed

Som, Sibendu; Liu, Wei; Zhou, Dingyu D Y; Magnotti, Gina M; Sivaramakrishnan, Raghu; Longman, Douglas E; Skodje, Rex T; Davis, Michael J

2013-06-20

We study the role of individual reaction rates on engine performance, with an emphasis on the contribution of quantum tunneling. It is demonstrated that the effect of quantum tunneling corrections for the reaction HO2 + HO2 = H2O2 + O2 can have a noticeable impact on the performance of a high-fidelity model of a compression-ignition (e.g., diesel) engine, and that an accurate prediction of ignition delay time for the engine model requires an accurate estimation of the tunneling correction for this reaction. The three-dimensional model includes detailed descriptions of the chemistry of a surrogate for a biodiesel fuel, as well as all the features of the engine, such as the liquid fuel spray and turbulence. This study is part of a larger investigation of how the features of the dynamics and potential energy surfaces of key reactions, as well as their reaction rate uncertainties, affect engine performance, and results in these directions are also presented here.

Fuel and Combustion Characteristics of Organic Wastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namba, Kunihiko; Ida, Tamio

From a viewpoint of environmental preservation and resource protection, the recycling of wastes has been promoting. Expectations to new energy resource are growing by decrease of fossil fuel. Biomass is one of new energies for prevent global warning. This study is an attempt to burn biomass lamps made from residues in order to thermally recycle waste products of drink industries. The pyrolytic properties of shochu dregs and used tea leaves were observed by thermo-gravimertic analysis (TG) to obtained fundamental data of drink waste pyrolysis. It observed that shochu dregs pyrolyze under lower temperature than used tea leaves. These wastes were compressed by hot press apparatus in the temperature range from 140 to 180 °C for use as Bio-fuel (BF). The combustion behavior of BF was observed in fall-type electric furnace, where video-recording was carried out at sequential steps, such as ignition, visible envelope flame combustion and char combustion to obtain combustion characteristics such as ignition delay, visible flame combustion time and char combustion time.

Compendium of Experimental Cetane Numbers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yanowitz, Janet; Ratcliff, Matthew A.; McCormick, Robert L.

This report is an updated version of the 2014 Compendium of Experimental Cetane Number Data and presents a compilation of measured cetane numbers for pure chemical compounds. It includes all available single-compound cetane number data found in the scientific literature up until December 2016 as well as a number of previously unpublished values, most measured over the past decade at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This version of the compendium contains cetane values for 496 pure compounds, including 204 hydrocarbons and 292 oxygenates. 176 individual measurements are new to this version of the compendium, all of them collected using ASTMmore » Method D6890, which utilizes an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT) a type of constant-volume combustion chamber. For many compounds, numerous measurements are included, often collected by different researchers using different methods. The text of this document is unchanged from the 2014 version, except for the numbers of compounds in Section 3.1, the Appendices, Table 1. Primary Cetane Number Data Sources and Table 2. Number of Measurements Included in Compendium. Cetane number is a relative ranking of a fuel's autoignition characteristics for use in compression ignition engines. It is based on the amount of time between fuel injection and ignition, also known as ignition delay. The cetane number is typically measured either in a single-cylinder engine or a constant-volume combustion chamber. Values in the previous compendium derived from octane numbers have been removed and replaced with a brief analysis of the correlation between cetane numbers and octane numbers. The discussion on the accuracy and precision of the most commonly used methods for measuring cetane number has been expanded, and the data have been annotated extensively to provide additional information that will help the reader judge the relative reliability of individual results.« less

Devices to improve the performance of a conventional two-stroke spark ignition engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poola, R. B.; Nagalingam, B.; Gopalakrishnan, K. V.

1995-08-01

This paper presents research efforts made in three different phases with the objective of improving the fuel economy of and reducing exhaust emissions from conventional, carbureted, two-stroke spark ignition (SI) engines, which are widely employed in two-wheel transportation in India. A review concerning the existing two-stroke engine technology for this application is included. In the first phase, a new scavenging system was developed and tested to reduce the loss of fresh charge through the exhaust port. In the second phase, the following measures were carried out to improve the combustion process: (1) using an in-cylinder catalyst, such as copper, chromium, and nickel, in the form of coating; (2) providing moderate thermal insulation in the combustion chamber, either by depositing thin ceramic material or by metal inserts; (3) developing a high-energy ignition system; and (4) employing high-octane fuel, such as methanol, ethanol, eucalyptus oil, and orange oil, as a blending agent with gasoline. Based on the effectiveness of the above measures, an optimized design was developed in the final phase to achieve improved performance. Test results indicate that with an optimized two-stroke SI engine, the maximum percentage improvement in brake thermal efficiency is about 31%, together with a reduction of 3400 ppm in hydrocarbons (HC) and 3% by volume of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions over the normal engine (at 3 kW, 3000 rpm). Higher cylinder peak pressures (3-5 bar), lower ignition delay (2-4 degrees CA), and shorter combustion duration (4-10 degrees CA) are obtained. The knock-limited power output is also enhanced by 12.7% at a high compression ratio (CR) of 9:1. The proposed modifications in the optimized design are simple, low-cost, and easy to adopt for both production and existing engines.

A low cost igniter utilizing an SCB and titanium sub-hydride potassium perchlorate pyrotechnic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bickes, R. W., Jr.; Grubelich, M. C.; Hartman, J. K.; McCampbell, C. B.; Churchill, J. K.

1994-01-01

A conventional NSI (NASA Standard Initiator) normally employs a hot-wire ignition element to ignite ZPP (zirconium potassium perchlorate). With minor modifications to the interior of a header similar to an NSI device to accommodate an SCB (semiconductor bridge), a low cost initiator was obtained. In addition, the ZPP was replaced with THKP (titanium sub-hydride potassium perchlorate) to obtain increased overall gas production and reduced static-charge sensitivity. This paper reports on the all-fire and no-fire levels obtained and on a dual mix device that uses THKP as the igniter mix and a thermite as the output mix.

Progress understanding how hohlraum foam-liners can be used to improve laser beam propagation through hohlraum plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Alastair; Meezan, N.; Thomas, C.; Baker, K.; Baumann, T.; Biener, M.; Bhandarkar, S.; Goyon, C.; Hsing, W.; Izumi, N.; Landen, O.; Nikroo, A.; Rosen, M.; Moody, J.

2017-10-01

The expansion of a laser-heated hohlraum wall can quickly fill the cavity and reduce or prevent propagation of other laser beams into the hohlraum. To delay such plasma filling, ignition hohlraums have typically used a high-density gas-fill or have been irradiated with a short (< 10 ns) laser pulse; the former can cause laser plasma instabilities (LPI), while a short laser pulse limits the design space required to reach symmetric implosions. Foam-liners are predicted to mitigate wall motion in a low gas-fill hohlraum, and so would enable the hohlraum to usefully drive a capsule over a longer duration. On the National Ignition Facility we have been engaged in two types of experiments to study foam-lined hohlraums. The first aims to radiograph the expansion of a foam-lined Au wall in a cylindrical geometry and, using simulation, infer the location of the 1/4 ncrit surface. We observe that a 20 mg/cc Ta2O5 foam, 200 μm thick delays the expansion of Au hohlraum wall by 0.5 - 0.7 ns. The second type introduces a Ta2O5 foam-liner into a hohlraum and are designed to measure the effect of the foam-liner on capsule drive. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Simulations of spray autoignition and flame establishment with two-dimensional CMC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wright, Y.M.; Boulouchos, K.; De Paola, G.

2005-12-01

The unsteady two-dimensional conditional moment closure (CMC) model with first-order closure of the chemistry and supplied with standard models for the conditional convection and turbulent diffusion terms has been interfaced with a commercial engine CFD code and analyzed with two numerical methods, an 'exact' calculation with the method of lines and a faster fractional-step method. The aim was to examine the sensitivity of the predictions to the operator splitting errors and to identify the extent to which spatial transport terms are important for spray autoignition problems. Despite the underlying simplifications, solution of the full CMC equations allows a single modelmore » to be used for the autoignition, flame propagation ('premixed mode'), and diffusion flame mode of diesel combustion, which makes CMC a good candidate model for practical engine calculations. It was found that (i) the conditional averages have significant spatial gradients before ignition and during the premixed mode and (ii) that the inclusion of physical-space transport affects the calculation of the autoignition delay time, both of which suggest that volume-averaged CMC approaches may be inappropriate for diesel-like problems. A balance of terms in the CMC equation before and after autoignition shows the relative magnitude of spatial transport and allows conjectures on the structure of the premixed phase of diesel combustion. Very good agreement with available experimental data is found concerning ignition delays and the effect of background air turbulence on them.« less

Flame spread across liquid pools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Howard; Miller, Fletcher; Schiller, David; Sirignano, William A.

1993-01-01

For flame spread over liquid fuel pools, the existing literature suggests three gravitational influences: (1) liquid phase buoyant convection, delaying ignition and assisting flame spread; (2) hydrostatic pressure variation, due to variation in the liquid pool height caused by thermocapillary-induced convection; and (3) gas-phase buoyant convection in the opposite direction to the liquid phase motion. No current model accounts for all three influences. In fact, prior to this work, there was no ability to determine whether ignition delay times and flame spread rates would be greater or lesser in low gravity. Flame spread over liquid fuel pools is most commonly characterized by the relationship of the initial pool temperature to the fuel's idealized flash point temperature, with four or five separate characteristic regimes having been identified. In the uniform spread regime, control has been attributed to: (1) gas-phase conduction and radiation; (2) gas-phase conduction only; (3) gas-phase convection and liquid conduction, and most recently (4) liquid convection ahead of the flame. Suggestions were made that the liquid convection was owed to both vuoyancy and thermocapillarity. Of special interest to this work is the determination of whether, and under what conditions, pulsating spread can and will occur in microgravity in the absence of buoyant flows in both phases. The approach we have taken to resolving the importance of buoyancy for these flames is: (1) normal gravity experiments and advanced diagnostics; (2) microgravity experiments; and (3) numerical modelling at arbitrary gravitational level.

A study of ignition phenomena of bulk metals by radiant heating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Branch, Melvin C.; Abbud-Madrid, A.; Feiereisen, T. J.; Daily, J. W.

1993-01-01

Early research on combustion of metals was motivated by the knowledge of the large heat release and corresponding high temperatures associated with metal-oxygen reactions. The advent of space flight brought about an increased interest in the ignition and combustion of metallic particles as additives in solid rocket propellants. More recently, attention has been given to the flammability properties of bulk, structural metals due to the number of accidental explosions of metal components in high-pressure oxygen systems. The following work represents a preliminary study that is part of a broader research effort aimed at providing further insight into the phenomena of bulk metal combustion by looking at the effects of gravity on the ignition behavior of metals. The scope of this preliminary experimental study includes the use of a non-coherent, continuous radiation ignition source, the measurement of temperature profiles of a variety of metals and a qualitative observation of the ignition phenomena at normal gravity. The specific objectives of the investigation include: (1) a feasibility study of the use of a continuous radiation source for metal ignition; (2) testing and characterization of the ignition behavior of a variety of metals; and (3) building a preliminary experimental database on ignition of metals under normal gravity conditions.

Laser ignition of engines: a realistic option!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinrotter, M.; Srivastava, D. K.; Iskra, K.; Graf, J.; Kopecek, H.; Klausner, J.; Herdin, G.; Wintner, E.

2006-01-01

Due to the demands of the market to increase efficiencies and power densities of gas engines, existing ignition schemes are gradually reaching their limits. These limitations initially triggered the development of laser ignition as an effective alternative, first only for gas engines and now for a much wider range of internal combustion engines revealing a number of immediate advantages like no electrode erosion or flame kernel quenching. Furthermore and most noteworthy, already the very first engine tests about 5 years ago had resulted in a drastic reduction of NO x emissions. Within this broad range investigation, laser plasmas were generated by ns Nd-laser pulses and characterized by emission and Schlieren diagnostic methods. High-pressure chamber experiments with lean hydrogen-methane-air mixtures were successfully performed and allowed the determination of essential parameters like minimum pulse energies at different ignition pressures and temperatures as well as at variable fuel air compositions. Multipoint ignition was studied for different ignition point locations. In this way, relevant parameters were acquired allowing to estimate future laser ignition systems. Finally, a prototype diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was tested successfully at a gasoline engine allowing to monitor the essential operation characteristics. It is expected that laser ignition involving such novel solid-state lasers will allow much lower maintenance efforts.

Ignition of global wildfires at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melosh, H. J.; Schneider, N. M.; Zahnle, K. J.; Latham, D.

1990-01-01

The recent discovery of an apparently global soot layer at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary indicates that global wildfires were somehow ignited by the impact of a comet or asteroid. It is shown here that the thermal radiation produced by the ballistic reentry of ejecta condensed from the vapor plume of the impact could have increased the global radiation flux by factors of 50 to 150 times the solar input for periods ranging from one to several hours. This great increase in thermal radiation may have been responsible for the ignition of global wildfires, as well as having deleterious effects on unprotected animal life.

Wave combustors for trans-atmospheric vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menees, Gene P.; Adelman, Henry G.; Cambier, Jean-Luc; Bowles, Jeffrey V.

1989-01-01

The Wave Combustor is an airbreathing hypersonic propulsion system which utilizes shock and detonation waves to enhance fuel-air mixing and combustion in supersonic flow. In this concept, an oblique shock wave in the combustor can act as a flameholder by increasing the pressure and temperature of the air-fuel mixture and thereby decreasing the ignition delay. If the oblique shock is sufficiently strong, then the combustion front and the shock wave can couple into a detonation wave. In this case, combustion occurs almost instantaneously in a thin zone behind the wave front. The result is a shorter, lighter engine compared to the scramjet. This engine, which is called the Oblique Detonation Wave Engine (ODWE), can then be utilized to provide a smaller, lighter vehicle or to provide a higher payload capability for a given vehicle weight. An analysis of the performance of a conceptual trans-atmospheric vehicle powered by an ODWE is given here.

Importance of turbulence-chemistry interactions at low temperature engine conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kundu, Prithwish; Ameen, Muhsin M.; Som, Sibendu

The role of turbulence-chemistry interaction in autoignition and flame stabilization is investigated for spray flames at low temperature combustion (LTC) conditions by performing high-fidelity three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A recently developed Tabulated Flamelet Model (TFM) is coupled with a large eddy simulation (LES) framework and validated across a range of Engine Combustion Network (ECN) ambient temperature conditions for n-dodecane fuel. High resolution grids with 0.0625 mm minimum cell size and 25 million total cell count are implemented using adaptive mesh refinement over the spray and combustion regions. Simulations with these grids and multiple LES realizations, with a 103more » species n-dodecane mechanism show good agreement with experimental data for all the ambient conditions investigated. This modeling approach with the computational cost advantage of tabulated chemistry is then extended towards understanding the auto-ignition and flame stabilization at an ambient temperature of 750 K. These low temperature conditions lead to substantially higher ignition delays and flame liftoff lengths, and significantly leaner combustion compared to conventional high temperature diesel combustion. These conditions also require the simulations to span significantly larger temporal and spatial dimensions thereby increasing the computational cost. The TFM approach is able to capture autoignition and flame liftoff length at the low temperature conditions. Significant differences with respect to mixing, species formation and flame stabilization are observed under low temperature compared to conventional diesel combustion. At higher ambient temperatures, formation of formaldehyde is observed in the rich region (phi > 1) followed by the formation of OH in the stoichiometric regions. Under low temperature conditions, formaldehyde is observed to form at leaner regions followed by the onset of OH formation in significantly lean regions of the flame. Qualitative differences between species formation and transient flame development for the high and low temperature conditions are presented. The two stage ignition process is further investigated by studying the species formation in mixture fraction space by solving 1D flamelet equations for different scalar dissipation rates and homogeneous reactor assumption. Results show that scalar dissipation causes these radicals to diffuse within the mixture fraction space. As a result, this significantly enhances ignition and plays a dominant role at such low temperature conditions which cannot be captured by the homogeneous reaction assumption based model.« less

Analysis of Thermal and Chemical Effets on Negative Valve Overlap Period Energy Recovery for Low-Temperature Gasoline Combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ekoto, Dr Isaac; Peterson, Dr. Brian; Szybist, James P

2015-01-01

A central challenge for efficient auto-ignition controlled low-temperature gasoline combustion (LTGC) engines has been achieving the combustion phasing needed to reach stable performance over a wide operating regime. The negative valve overlap (NVO) strategy has been explored as a way to improve combustion stability through a combination of charge heating and altered reactivity via a recompression stroke with a pilot fuel injection. The study objective was to analyze the thermal and chemical effects on NVO-period energy recovery. The analysis leveraged experimental gas sampling results obtained from a single-cylinder LTGC engine along with cylinder pressure measurements and custom data reduction methodsmore » used to estimate period thermodynamic properties. The engine was fueled by either iso-octane or ethanol, and operated under sweeps of NVO-period oxygen concentration, injection timing, and fueling rate. Gas sampling at the end of the NVO period was performed via a custom dump-valve apparatus, with detailed sample speciation by in-house gas chromatography. The balance of NVO-period input and output energy flows was calculated in terms of fuel energy, work, heat loss, and change in sensible energy. Experiment results were complemented by detailed chemistry single-zone reactor simulations performed at relevant mixing and thermodynamic conditions, with results used to evaluate ignition behavior and expected energy recovery yields. For the intermediate bulk-gas temperatures present during the NVO period (900-1100 K), weak negative temperature coefficient behavior with iso-octane fueling significantly lengthened ignition delays relative to similar ethanol fueled conditions. Faster ethanol ignition chemistry led to lower recovered fuel intermediate yields relative to similar iso-octane fueled conditions due to more complete fuel oxidation. From the energy analysis it was found that increased NVO-period global equivalence ratio, either from lower NVOperiod oxygen concentrations or higher fueling rates, in general led to a greater fraction of net recovered fuel energy and work as heat losses were minimized. These observations were supported by complementary single-zone reactor model results, which further indicated that kinetic time-scales favor chemical energy-consuming exothermic oxidation over slower endothermic reformation. Nonetheless, fuel energy recovery close to the thermodynamic equilibrium solution was achieved for baseline conditions that featured 4% NVO-period oxygen concentration.« less

Importance of turbulence-chemistry interactions at low temperature engine conditions

DOE PAGES

Kundu, Prithwish; Ameen, Muhsin M.; Som, Sibendu

2017-06-08

The role of turbulence-chemistry interaction in autoignition and flame stabilization is investigated for spray flames at low temperature combustion (LTC) conditions by performing high-fidelity three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A recently developed Tabulated Flamelet Model (TFM) is coupled with a large eddy simulation (LES) framework and validated across a range of Engine Combustion Network (ECN) ambient temperature conditions for n-dodecane fuel. High resolution grids with 0.0625 mm minimum cell size and 25 million total cell count are implemented using adaptive mesh refinement over the spray and combustion regions. Simulations with these grids and multiple LES realizations, with a 103more » species n-dodecane mechanism show good agreement with experimental data for all the ambient conditions investigated. This modeling approach with the computational cost advantage of tabulated chemistry is then extended towards understanding the auto-ignition and flame stabilization at an ambient temperature of 750 K. These low temperature conditions lead to substantially higher ignition delays and flame liftoff lengths, and significantly leaner combustion compared to conventional high temperature diesel combustion. These conditions also require the simulations to span significantly larger temporal and spatial dimensions thereby increasing the computational cost. The TFM approach is able to capture autoignition and flame liftoff length at the low temperature conditions. Significant differences with respect to mixing, species formation and flame stabilization are observed under low temperature compared to conventional diesel combustion. At higher ambient temperatures, formation of formaldehyde is observed in the rich region (phi > 1) followed by the formation of OH in the stoichiometric regions. Under low temperature conditions, formaldehyde is observed to form at leaner regions followed by the onset of OH formation in significantly lean regions of the flame. Qualitative differences between species formation and transient flame development for the high and low temperature conditions are presented. The two stage ignition process is further investigated by studying the species formation in mixture fraction space by solving 1D flamelet equations for different scalar dissipation rates and homogeneous reactor assumption. Results show that scalar dissipation causes these radicals to diffuse within the mixture fraction space. As a result, this significantly enhances ignition and plays a dominant role at such low temperature conditions which cannot be captured by the homogeneous reaction assumption based model.« less

Spark ignition timing control system for internal combustion engine with feature of suppression of jerking during engine acceleration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tomisawa, N.

1989-07-04

This patent describes a spark ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine, it comprises: sensor means monitoring preselected parameters for producing a sensor signal; first means for deriving a spark ignition timing on the basis of data contained in the sensor signal; second means for detecting an engine acceleration demand for producing an accelerating condition indicative signal; and third means, responsive to the accelerating condition indicative signal, for modifying the spark ignition timing derived by the first means after expiration of a first predetermined period of time of occurence of the accelerating condition indicative signal, in such amore » manner that the spark ignition timing is advanced and retarded for suppressing cycle-to-cycle fluctuation of engine speed and for smoothly increasing engine speed.« less

Evolution of temperature of a droplet of liquid composite fuel interacting with heated airflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glushkov, D. O.; Zakharevich, A. V.; Strizhak, P. A.; Syrodoy, S. V.

2016-11-01

The macroscopic patterns of a temperature change at the center of a droplet of three-component (coal, water, petroleum) composite liquid fuel (CLF) were studied using a low-inertia thermoelectric converter and system of high-speed (up to 105 frames per second) video recording during the induction period at different heating intensity by the air flow with variable parameters: temperature of 670-870 K and motion velocity of 1-4 m/s. The studies were carried out for two groups of CLF compositions: fuel based on brown coal and coal cleaning rejects (filter cake). To assess the effect of liquid combustible component of CLF on characteristics of the ignition process, the corresponding composition of two-component coal-water fuel (CWF) was studied. The stages of inert heating of CLF and CWF droplets with characteristic size corresponding to radius of 0.75-1.5 mm, evaporation of moisture and liquid oil (for CLF), thermal decomposition of the organic part of coal, gas mixture ignition, and carbon burnout were identified. Regularities of changes in the temperature of CLF and CWF droplets at each of identified stages were identified for the cooccurrence of phase transitions and chemical reactions. Comparative analysis of the times of ignition delay and complete combustion of the droplets of examined fuel compositions was performed with varying droplet dimensions, temperatures, and oxidant flow velocity.

Rational Design and Facile Synthesis of Boranophosphate Ionic Liquids as Hypergolic Rocket Fuels.

PubMed

Liu, Tianlin; Qi, Xiujuan; Wang, Binshen; Jin, Yunhe; Yan, Chao; Wang, Yi; Zhang, Qinghua

2018-05-14

The design and synthesis of new hypergolic ionic liquids (HILs) as replacements for toxic hydrazine derivatives have been the focus of current academic research in the field of liquid bipropellant fuels. In most cases, however, the requirements of excellent ignition performances, good hydrolytic stabilities, and low synthetic costs are often contradictory, which makes the development of high-performance HILs an enormous challenge. Here, we show how a fuel-rich boranophosphate ion was rationally designed and used to synthesize a series of high-performance HILs with excellent comprehensive properties. In the design strategy, we introduced the {BH 3 } moiety into the boranophosphate ion for improving the self-ignition property, whereas the complexation of boron and phosphite was used to improve the hydrolytic activity of the borohydride species. As a result, these boranophosphate HILs exhibited wide liquid operating ranges (>220 °C), high densities (1.00-1.10 g cm -3 ), good hydrolytic stabilities, and short ignition delay times (2.3-9.7 milliseconds) with white fuming nitric acid (WFNA) as the oxidizer. More importantly, these boranophosphate HILs could be readily prepared in high yields from commercial phosphite esters, avoiding complex and time-consuming synthetic routes. This work offers an effective strategy of designing boranophosphate HILs towards safer and greener hypergolic fuels for liquid bipropellant applications. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

On the mechanism of flow evolution in shock-tube experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiverin, Alexey; Yakovenko, Ivan

2018-02-01

The paper studies numerically the flow development behind the shock wave propagating inside the tube. The detailed analysis of the flow patterns behind the shock wave allows determination of the gas-dynamical origins of the temperature non-uniformities responsible for the subsequent localized start of chemical reactions in the test mixture. In particular, it is shown that the temperature field structure is determined mainly by the mechanisms of boundary layer instability development. The kinetic energy dissipation related to the flow deceleration inside boundary layer results in local heating of the test gas. At the same time, the heat losses to the tube wall lead to the cooling of the gas. Therefore the temperature stratification takes place on the scales of the boundary layer. As soon as the shock wave reflected from the end-wall of the tube interacts with the developed boundary layer the localized hot regions arise at a certain distance from the end wall. The position of these hot regions is associated with the zones of shock wave interaction with roller vortices at the margin between the boundary layer and the bulk flow. Formulated mechanism of the temperature field evolution can be used to explain the peculiarities of non-steady shock-induced ignition of combustible mixtures with moderate ignition delay times, where the ignition starts inside localized kernels at distance from the end wall.

Compendium of Experimental Cetane Numbers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yanowitz, J.; Ratcliff, M. A.; McCormick, R. L.

This report is an updated version of the 2004 Compendium of Experimental Cetane Number Data and presents a compilation of measured cetane numbers for pure chemical compounds. It includes all available single compound cetane number data found in the scientific literature up until March 2014 as well as a number of unpublished values, most measured over the past decade at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This Compendium contains cetane values for 389 pure compounds, including 189 hydrocarbons and 201 oxygenates. More than 250 individual measurements are new to this version of the Compendium. For many compounds, numerous measurements are included,more » often collected by different researchers using different methods. Cetane number is a relative ranking of a fuel's autoignition characteristics for use in compression ignition engines; it is based on the amount of time between fuel injection and ignition, also known as ignition delay. The cetane number is typically measured either in a single-cylinder engine or a constant volume combustion chamber. Values in the previous Compendium derived from octane numbers have been removed, and replaced with a brief analysis of the correlation between cetane numbers and octane numbers. The discussion on the accuracy and precision of the most commonly used methods for measuring cetane has been expanded and the data has been annotated extensively to provide additional information that will help the reader judge the relative reliability of individual results.« less

Ignition and extinction phenomena in helium micro hollow cathode discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kulsreshath, M. K.; Schwaederle, L.; Dufour, T.

Micro hollow cathode discharges (MHCD) were produced using 250 μm thick dielectric layer of alumina sandwiched between two nickel electrodes of 8 μm thickness. A through cavity at the center of the chip was formed by laser drilling technique. MHCD with a diameter of few hundreds of micrometers allowed us to generate direct current discharges in helium at up to atmospheric pressure. A slowly varying ramped voltage generator was used to study the ignition and the extinction periods of the microdischarges. The analysis was performed by using electrical characterisation of the V-I behaviour and the measurement of He*({sup 3}S{sub 1}) metastable atomsmore » density by tunable diode laser spectroscopy. At the ignition of the microdischarges, 2 μs long current peak as high as 24 mA was observed, sometimes followed by low amplitude damped oscillations. At helium pressure above 400 Torr, an oscillatory behaviour of the discharge current was observed just before the extinction of the microdischarges. The same type of instability in the extinction period at high pressure also appeared on the density of He*({sup 3}S{sub 1}) metastable atoms, but delayed by a few μs relative to the current oscillations. Metastable atoms thus cannot be at the origin of the generation of the observed instabilities.« less

Laser Ignition Technology for Bi-Propellant Rocket Engine Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Matthew E.; Bossard, John A.; Early, Jim; Trinh, Huu; Dennis, Jay; Turner, James (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The fiber optically coupled laser ignition approach summarized is under consideration for use in igniting bi-propellant rocket thrust chambers. This laser ignition approach is based on a novel dual pulse format capable of effectively increasing laser generated plasma life times up to 1000 % over conventional laser ignition methods. In the dual-pulse format tinder consideration here an initial laser pulse is used to generate a small plasma kernel. A second laser pulse that effectively irradiates the plasma kernel follows this pulse. Energy transfer into the kernel is much more efficient because of its absorption characteristics thereby allowing the kernel to develop into a much more effective ignition source for subsequent combustion processes. In this research effort both single and dual-pulse formats were evaluated in a small testbed rocket thrust chamber. The rocket chamber was designed to evaluate several bipropellant combinations. Optical access to the chamber was provided through small sapphire windows. Test results from gaseous oxygen (GOx) and RP-1 propellants are presented here. Several variables were evaluated during the test program, including spark location, pulse timing, and relative pulse energy. These variables were evaluated in an effort to identify the conditions in which laser ignition of bi-propellants is feasible. Preliminary results and analysis indicate that this laser ignition approach may provide superior ignition performance relative to squib and torch igniters, while simultaneously eliminating some of the logistical issues associated with these systems. Further research focused on enhancing the system robustness, multiplexing, and window durability/cleaning and fiber optic enhancements is in progress.

Definition of Ignition in Inertial Confinement Fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christopherson, A. R.; Betti, R.

2017-10-01

Defining ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is an unresolved problem. In ICF, a distinction must be made between the ignition of the hot spot and the propagation of the burn wave in the surrounding dense fuel. Burn propagation requires that the hot spot is robustly ignited and the dense shell exhibits enough areal density. Since most of the energy gain comes from burning the dense shell, in a scale of increasing yields, hot-spot ignition comes before high gains. Identifying this transition from hot-spot ignition to burn-wave propagation is key to defining ignition in general terms applicable to all fusion approaches that use solid DT fuel. Ad hoc definitions such as gain = 1 or doubling the temperature are not generally valid. In this work, we show that it is possible to identify the onset of ignition through a unique value of the yield amplification defined as the ratio of the fusion yield including alpha-particle deposition to the fusion yield without alphas. Since the yield amplification is a function of the fractional alpha energy fα =EαEα 2Ehs 2Ehs (a measurable quantity), it appears possible not only to define ignition but also to measure the onset of ignition by the experimental inference of the fractional alpha energy and yield amplification. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy Office of Fusion Energy Services under Award Number DE-FC02-04ER54789 and National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Ultraviolet Laser-induced ignition of RDX single crystal

PubMed Central

Yan, Zhonghua; Zhang, Chuanchao; Liu, Wei; Li, Jinshan; Huang, Ming; Wang, Xuming; Zhou, Guorui; Tan, Bisheng; Yang, Zongwei; Li, Zhijie; Li, Li; Yan, Hongwei; Yuan, Xiaodong; Zu, Xiaotao

2016-01-01

The RDX single crystals are ignited by ultraviolet laser (355 nm, 6.4 ns) pulses. The laser-induced damage morphology consisted of two distinct regions: a core region of layered fracture and a peripheral region of stripped material surrounding the core. As laser fluence increases, the area of the whole crack region increases all the way, while both the area and depth of the core region increase firstly, and then stay stable over the laser fluence of 12 J/cm2. The experimental details indicate the dynamics during laser ignition process. Plasma fireball of high temperature and pressure occurs firstly, followed by the micro-explosions on the (210) surface, and finally shock waves propagate through the materials to further strip materials outside and yield in-depth cracks in larger surrounding region. The plasma fireball evolves from isotropic to anisotropic under higher laser fluence resulting in the damage expansion only in lateral direction while maintaining the fixed depth. The primary insights into the interaction dynamics between laser and energetic materials can help developing the superior laser ignition technique. PMID:26847854

ASRM Multi-Port Igniter Flow Field Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kania, Lee; Dumas, Catherine; Doran, Denise

1993-01-01

The Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) program was initiated by NASA in response to the need for a new generation rocket motor capable of providing increased thrust levels over the existing Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) and thus augment the lifting capacity of the space shuttle orbiter. To achieve these higher thrust levels and improve motor reliability, advanced motor design concepts were employed. In the head end of the motor, for instance, the propellent cast has been changed from the conventional annular configuration to a 'multi-slot' configuration in order to increase the burn surface area and guarantee rapid motor ignition. In addition, the igniter itself has been redesigned and currently features 12 exhaust ports in order to channel hot igniter combustion gases into the circumferential propellent slots. Due to the close proximity of the igniter ports to the propellent surfaces, new concerns over possible propellent deformation and erosive burning have arisen. The following documents the effort undertaken using computational fluid dynamics to perform a flow field analysis in the top end of the ASRM motor to determine flow field properties necessary to permit a subsequent propellent fin deformation analysis due to pressure loading and an assessment of the extent of erosive burning.

ASRM multi-port igniter flow field analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kania, Lee; Dumas, Catherine; Doran, Denise

1993-07-01

The Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) program was initiated by NASA in response to the need for a new generation rocket motor capable of providing increased thrust levels over the existing Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) and thus augment the lifting capacity of the space shuttle orbiter. To achieve these higher thrust levels and improve motor reliability, advanced motor design concepts were employed. In the head end of the motor, for instance, the propellent cast has been changed from the conventional annular configuration to a 'multi-slot' configuration in order to increase the burn surface area and guarantee rapid motor ignition. In addition, the igniter itself has been redesigned and currently features 12 exhaust ports in order to channel hot igniter combustion gases into the circumferential propellent slots. Due to the close proximity of the igniter ports to the propellent surfaces, new concerns over possible propellent deformation and erosive burning have arisen. The following documents the effort undertaken using computational fluid dynamics to perform a flow field analysis in the top end of the ASRM motor to determine flow field properties necessary to permit a subsequent propellent fin deformation analysis due to pressure loading and an assessment of the extent of erosive burning.

Friction of Compression-ignition Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Charles S; Collins, John H , Jr

1936-01-01

The cost in mean effective pressure of generating air flow in the combustion chambers of single-cylinder compression-ignition engines was determined for the prechamber and the displaced-piston types of combustion chamber. For each type a wide range of air-flow quantities, speeds, and boost pressures was investigated. Supplementary tests were made to determine the effect of lubricating-oil temperature, cooling-water temperature, and compression ratio on the friction mean effective pressure of the single-cylinder test engine. Friction curves are included for two 9-cylinder, radial, compression-ignition aircraft engines. The results indicate that generating the optimum forced air flow increased the motoring losses approximately 5 pounds per square inch mean effective pressure regardless of chamber type or engine speed. With a given type of chamber, the rate of increase in friction mean effective pressure with engine speed is independent of the air-flow speed. The effect of boost pressure on the friction cannot be predicted because the friction was decreased, unchanged, or increased depending on the combustion-chamber type and design details. High compression ratio accounts for approximately 5 pounds per square inch mean effective pressure of the friction of these single-cylinder compression-ignition engines. The single-cylinder test engines used in this investigation had a much higher friction mean effective pressure than conventional aircraft engines or than the 9-cylinder, radial, compression-ignition engines tested so that performance should be compared on an indicated basis.

Design and Qualification of a High-Pressure Combustion Chamber for Ignition Delay Testing of Diesel Fuels

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

its existing engines. On April 22, 2010, the Navy showcased a supersonic test of an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft, nicknamed the “Green Hornet...Propulsion Yanmar 6LPA-STP DI, I-6, 4.16 L 0.694 L 3.70 in Nozzle HMMWV Propulsion AM General IDI, V-8, 6.5 L 0.813 L 4.06 in Nozzle FFG-7... Nozzle SSN-688 Los Angeles-Class Submarine SSN-21 Seawolf-Class Submarine LSD-41 Whidbey Island-Class Dock Landing Ship Ship service

Detailed mechanism of benzene oxidation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, David A.

1987-01-01

A detailed quantitative mechanism for the oxidation of benzene in both argon and nitrogen diluted systems is presented. Computed ignition delay time for argon diluted mixtures are in satisfactory agreement with experimental results for a wide range of initial conditions. An experimental temperature versus time profile for a nitrogen diluted oxidation was accurately matched and several concentration profiles were matched qualitatively. Application of sensitivity analysis has given approximate rate constant expressions for the two dominant heat release reactions, the oxidation of C6H5 and C5H5 radicals by molecular oxygen.

Determination of Pass/Fail Criteria for Promoted Combustion Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sparks, Kyle M.; Stoltzfus, Joel M.; Steinberg, Theodore A.; Lynn, David

2009-01-01

Promoted ignition testing is used to determine the relative flammability of metal rods in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. In these tests, a promoter is used to ignite each metal rod to start the sample burning. Experiments were performed to better understand the promoted ignition test by obtaining insight into the effect a burning promoter has on the preheating of a test sample. Test samples of several metallic materials were prepared and coupled to fast-responding thermocouples along their length. Various ignition promoters were used to ignite the test samples. The thermocouple measurements and test video was synchronized to determine temperature increase with respect to time and length along each test sample. A recommended length of test sample that must be consumed to be considered a flammable material was determined based on the preheated zone measured from these tests. This length was determined to be 30 mm (1.18 in.). Validation of this length and its rationale are presented.

Ignition of contaminants by impact of high-pressure oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pedley, Michael D.; Pao, Jenn-Hai; Bamford, Larry; Williams, Ralph E.; Plante, Barry

1988-01-01

The ignition of oil-film contaminants in high-pressure gaseous oxygen systems, caused by rapid pressurization, was investigated using the NASA/White Sands Test Facility's large-volume pneumatic impact test system. The test section consisted of stainless steel lines, contaminated on the inside surface with known amounts of Mobil DTE 24 oil and closed at one end, which was attached to a high-pressure oxygen system; the test section was pressurized to 48 MPa by opening a high-speed valve. Ignition of the oil was detected by a photocell attached to the closed end of the line. It was found that the frequency of ignition increased as a function of both the concentration of oil and of the pressure of the impacting oxygen. The threshold of ignition was between 25 and 65 mg/sq m. The results were correlated with the present NASA and Compressed Gas Association requirements for maximum levels of organic contaminants.

Facile Thermal and Optical Ignition of Silicon Nanoparticles and Micron Particles.

PubMed

Huang, Sidi; Parimi, Venkata Sharat; Deng, Sili; Lingamneni, Srilakshmi; Zheng, Xiaolin

2017-10-11

Silicon (Si) particles are widely utilized as high-capacity electrodes for Li-ion batteries, elements for thermoelectric devices, agents for bioimaging and therapy, and many other applications. However, Si particles can ignite and burn in air at elevated temperatures or under intense illumination. This poses potential safety hazards when handling, storing, and utilizing these particles for those applications. In order to avoid the problem of accidental ignition, it is critical to quantify the ignition properties of Si particles such as their sizes and porosities. To do so, we first used differential scanning calorimetry to experimentally determine the reaction onset temperature of Si particles under slow heating rates (∼0.33 K/s). We found that the reaction onset temperature of Si particles increased with the particle diameter from 805 °C at 20-30 nm to 935 °C at 1-5 μm. Then, we used a xenon (Xe) flash lamp to ignite Si particles under fast heating rates (∼10 3 to 10 6 K/s) and measured the minimum ignition radiant fluence (i.e., the radiant energy per unit surface area of Si particle beds required for ignition). We found that the measured minimum ignition radiant fluence decreased with decreasing Si particle size and was most sensitive to the porosity of the Si particle bed. These trends for the Xe flash ignition experiments were also confirmed by our one-dimensional unsteady simulation to model the heat transfer process. The quantitative information on Si particle ignition included in this Letter will guide the safe handling, storage, and utilization of Si particles for diverse applications and prevent unwanted fire hazards.

Pressure and Quantity Thresholds for Ignition of Oil Contamination by Rapid Pressurization in Oxygen Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tapia, Susana; Smith, Sarah; Peralta, Steve; Stoltzfus, Joel

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the problem and solution of oil contamination and increased ignition hazard in oxygen systems. The experiments that were used are reviewed, and the contamination level threshold and the oxygen pressure threshold are reviewed.

Influence of temperature conditions in outer space on the macrokinetic characteristics of ignition and combustion of the solid-fuel charge of the microthruster of a microelectromechanical system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Futko, S. I.; Bondarenko, V. P.; Dolgii, L. N.

2012-03-01

On the basis of macrokinetic calculations, the influence of the initial temperature on the impulse responses of the processes of ignition and combustion of the solid-fuel charge of the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microthruster burning the solid fuel glycidyl azide polymer (GAP)/RDX has been investigated. It has been established that fuel heating/cooling in a wide range of temperature values from 150 to 450 K characteristic of the conditions of a satellite in orbital flight markedly affects both the thrust and the total impulse of the MEMS microthruster. In so doing, an increase in the initial temperature leads to a marked decrease in the induction period and an increase in the critical flux of fuel ignition. The influence of the change in the initial temperature on the self-ignition temperature of GAP can be neglected. To obtain stable characteristics of the microthruster, it seems expedient to use a thermostating system.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sileghem, L.; Wallner, T.; Verhelst, S.

As knock is one of the main factors limiting the efficiency of spark-ignition engines, the introduction of alcohol blends could help to mitigate knock concerns due to the elevated knock resistance of these blends. A model that can accurately predict their autoignition behavior would be of great value to engine designers. The current work aims to develop such a model for alcohol–gasoline blends. First, a mixing rule for the autoignition delay time of alcohol–gasoline blends is proposed. Subsequently, this mixing rule is used together with an autoignition delay time correlation of gasoline and an autoignition delay time cor-relation of methanolmore » in a knock integral model that is implemented in a two-zone engine code. The pre-dictive performance of the resulting model is validated through comparison against experimental measurements on a CFR engine for a range of gasoline–methanol blends. The knock limited spark advance, the knock intensity, the knock onset crank angle and the value of the knock integral at the experimental knock onset have been simulated and compared to the experimental values derived from in-cylinder pressure measurements.« less

Optical engine initiation: multiple compartment applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, Jeffrey H.

2009-05-01

Modern day propulsion systems are used in aerospace applications for different purposes. The aerospace industry typically requires propulsion systems to operate in a rocket mode in order to drive large boost vehicles. The defense industry generally requires propulsion systems to operate in an air-breathing mode in order to drive missiles. A mixed system could use an air-breathing first stage and a rocket-mode upper stage for space access. Thus, propulsion systems can be used for high mass payloads and where the payload is dominated by the fuel/oxidizer mass being used by the propulsion system. The pulse detonation wave engine (PDWE) uses an alternative type of detonation cycle to achieve the same propulsion results. The primary component of the PDWE is the combustion chamber (or detonation tube). The PDWE represents an attractive propulsion source since its engine cycle is thermodynamically closest to that of a constant volume reaction. This characteristic leads to the inference that a maximum of the potential energy of the PDWE is put into thrust and not into flow work. Consequently, the volume must be increased. The technical community has increasingly adopted the alternative choice of increasing total volume by designing the engine to include a set of banks of smaller combustion chambers. This technique increases the complexity of the ignition subsystem because the inter-chamber timing must be considered. Current approaches to igniting the PDWE have involved separate shock or blast wave initiators and chemical additives designed to enhance detonatibility. An optical ignition subsystem generates a series of optical pulses, where the optical pulses ignite the fuel/oxidizer mixture such that the chambers detonate in a desired order. The detonation system also has an optical transport subsystem for transporting the optical pulses from the optical ignition subsystem to the chambers. The use of optical ignition and transport provides a non-toxic, small, lightweight, precisely controlled detonation system.

Improved ASTM G72 Test Method for Ensuring Adequate Fuel-to-Oxidizer Ratios

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juarez, Alfredo; Harper, Susana A.

2016-01-01

The ASTM G72/G72M-15 Standard Test Method for Autogenous Ignition Temperature of Liquids and Solids in a High-Pressure Oxygen-Enriched Environment is currently used to evaluate materials for the ignition susceptibility driven by exposure to external heat in an enriched oxygen environment. Testing performed on highly volatile liquids such as cleaning solvents has proven problematic due to inconsistent test results (non-ignitions). Non-ignition results can be misinterpreted as favorable oxygen compatibility, although they are more likely associated with inadequate fuel-to-oxidizer ratios. Forced evaporation during purging and inadequate sample size were identified as two potential causes for inadequate available sample material during testing. In an effort to maintain adequate fuel-to-oxidizer ratios within the reaction vessel during test, several parameters were considered, including sample size, pretest sample chilling, pretest purging, and test pressure. Tests on a variety of solvents exhibiting a range of volatilities are presented in this paper. A proposed improvement to the standard test protocol as a result of this evaluation is also presented. Execution of the final proposed improved test protocol outlines an incremental step method of determining optimal conditions using increased sample sizes while considering test system safety limits. The proposed improved test method increases confidence in results obtained by utilizing the ASTM G72 autogenous ignition temperature test method and can aid in the oxygen compatibility assessment of highly volatile liquids and other conditions that may lead to false non-ignition results.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sevik, James; Wallner, Thomas; Pamminger, Michael

The efficiency improvement and emissions reduction potential of lean and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)-dilute operation of spark-ignition gasoline engines is well understood and documented. However, dilute operation is generally limited by deteriorating combustion stability with increasing inert gas levels. The combustion stability decreases due to reduced mixture flame speeds resulting in significantly increased combustion initiation periods and burn durations. A study was designed and executed to evaluate the potential to extend lean and EGR-dilute limits using a low-energy transient plasma ignition system. The low-energy transient plasma was generated by nanosecond pulses and its performance compared to a conventional transistorized coilmore » ignition (TCI) system operated on an automotive, gasoline direct-injection (GDI) single-cylinder research engine. The experimental assessment was focused on steady-state experiments at the part load condition of 1500 rpm 5.6 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), where dilution tolerance is particularly critical to improving efficiency and emission performance. Experimental results suggest that the energy delivery process of the low-energy transient plasma ignition system significantly improves part load dilution tolerance by reducing the early flame development period. Statistical analysis of relevant combustion metrics was performed in order to further investigate the effects of the advanced ignition system on combustion stability. Results confirm that at select operating conditions EGR tolerance and lean limit could be improved by as much as 20% (from 22.7 to 27.1% EGR) and nearly 10% (from λ = 1.55 to 1.7) with the low-energy transient plasma ignition system.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Colaïtis, A.; Ribeyre, X.; Le Bel, E.

The effects of Hot Electrons (HEs) generated by the nonlinear Laser-Plasma Interaction (LPI) on the dynamics of Shock Ignition Inertial Confinement Fusion targets are investigated. The coupling between the laser beam, plasma dynamics and hot electron generation and propagation is described with a radiative hydrodynamics code using an inline model based on Paraxial Complex Geometrical Optics [Colaïtis et al., Phys. Rev. E 92, 041101 (2015)]. Two targets are considered: the pure-DT HiPER target and a CH-DT design with baseline spike powers of the order of 200–300 TW. In both cases, accounting for the LPI-generated HEs leads to non-igniting targets whenmore » using the baseline spike powers. While HEs are found to increase the ignitor shock pressure, they also preheat the bulk of the imploding shell, notably causing its expansion and contamination of the hotspot with the dense shell material before the time of shock convergence. The associated increase in hotspot mass (i) increases the ignitor shock pressure required to ignite the fusion reactions and (ii) significantly increases the power losses through Bremsstrahlung X-ray radiation, thus rapidly cooling the hotspot. These effects are less prominent for the CH-DT target where the plastic ablator shields the lower energy LPI-HE spectrum. Simulations using higher laser spike powers of 500 TW suggest that the CH-DT capsule marginally ignites, with an ignition window width significantly smaller than without LPI-HEs, and with three quarters of the baseline target yield. The latter effect arises from the relation between the shock launching time and the shell areal density, which becomes relevant in presence of a LPI-HE preheating.« less

Capsule implosion optimization during the indirect-drive National Ignition Campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landen, O. L.; Edwards, J.; Haan, S. W.; Robey, H. F.; Milovich, J.; Spears, B. K.; Weber, S. V.; Clark, D. S.; Lindl, J. D.; MacGowan, B. J.; Moses, E. I.; Atherton, J.; Amendt, P. A.; Boehly, T. R.; Bradley, D. K.; Braun, D. G.; Callahan, D. A.; Celliers, P. M.; Collins, G. W.; Dewald, E. L.; Divol, L.; Frenje, J. A.; Glenzer, S. H.; Hamza, A.; Hammel, B. A.; Hicks, D. G.; Hoffman, N.; Izumi, N.; Jones, O. S.; Kilkenny, J. D.; Kirkwood, R. K.; Kline, J. L.; Kyrala, G. A.; Marinak, M. M.; Meezan, N.; Meyerhofer, D. D.; Michel, P.; Munro, D. H.; Olson, R. E.; Nikroo, A.; Regan, S. P.; Suter, L. J.; Thomas, C. A.; Wilson, D. C.

2011-05-01

Capsule performance optimization campaigns will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller, E. I. Moses, and C. R. Wuest, Nucl. Fusion 44, 228 (2004)] to substantially increase the probability of ignition. The campaigns will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition experiments. The quantitative goals and technique options and down selections for the tuning campaigns are first explained. The computationally derived sensitivities to key laser and target parameters are compared to simple analytic models to gain further insight into the physics of the tuning techniques. The results of the validation of the tuning techniques at the OMEGA facility [J. M. Soures et al., Phys. Plasmas 3, 2108 (1996)] under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design are shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. A roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting the key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget. Finally, we show how the tuning precision will be improved after a number of shots and iterations to meet an acceptable level of residual uncertainty.

Discharge reliability in ablative pulsed plasma thrusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhiwen; Sun, Guorui; Yuan, Shiyue; Huang, Tiankun; Liu, Xiangyang; Xie, Kan; Wang, Ningfei

2017-08-01

Discharge reliability is typically neglected in low-ignition-cycle ablative pulsed plasma thrusters (APPTs). In this study, the discharge reliability of an APPT is assessed analytically and experimentally. The goals of this study are to better understand the ignition characteristics and to assess the accuracy of the analytical method. For each of six sets of operating conditions, 500 tests of a parallel-plate APPT with a coaxial semiconductor spark plug are conducted. The discharge voltage and current are measured with a high-voltage probe and a Rogowski coil, respectively, to determine whether the discharge is successful. Generally, the discharge success rate increases as the discharge voltage increases, and it decreases as the electrode gap and the number of ignitions increases. The theoretical analysis and the experimental results are reasonably consistent. This approach provides a reference for designing APPTs and improving their stability.

Mechanical impact tests of materials in oxygen effects of contamination. [Teflon, stainless steel, and aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ordin, P. M.

1980-01-01

The effect of contaminants on the mechanical impact sensitivity of Teflon, stainless steel, and aluminum in a high-pressure oxygen environment was investigated. Uncontaminated Teflon did not ignite under the test conditions. The liquid contaminants - cutting oil, motor lubricating oil, and toolmaker dye - caused Teflon to ignite. Raising the temperature lowered the impact energy required for ignition. Stainless steel was insensitive to ignition under the test conditions with the contaminants used. Aluminum appeared to react without contaminants under certain test conditions; however, contamination with cutting oil, motor lubricating oil, and toolmakers dye increased the sensitivity of aluminum to mechanical impact. The grit contaminants silicon dioxide and copper powder did not conclusively affect the sensitivity of aluminum.

Alaska's changing fire regime--implications for the vulnerability of its boreal forests

Treesearch

Eric S. Kasischke; David L. Verbyla; T. Scott Rupp; A. David McGuire; Karen A. Murphy; Randi Jandt; Jennifer L. Barnes; Elizabeth E. Hoy; Paul A. Duffy; Monika Calef; Merritt R. Turetsky

2010-01-01

A synthesis was carried out to examine Alaska's boreal forest fire regime. During the 2000s, an average of 767 000 ha×year-1 burned, 50% higher than in any previous decade since the 1940s. Over the past 60 years, there was a decrease in the number of lightning-ignited fires, an increase in extreme lightning-ignited fire events, an increase...

Fluid-Plasma-Combustion Coupling Effects on the Ignition of a Fuel Jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massa, Luca; Freund, Jonathan

2016-11-01

We analyze the effect of plasma-combustion coupling on the ignition and flame supported by a DBD interacting with a jet of H2 in a air cross-flow. We propose that plasma-combustion coupling is due to the strong temperature-dependence of specific collisional energy loss as predicted by the Boltzmann equation, and that e- transport can be modeled by assuming a form for the E-field pulse in microstreamers. We introduce a two-way coupling based on the Boltzmann equation and the charged species conservation. The addition of this mechanism to a hydrogen combustion scheme leads to an improvement of the ignition prediction and of the understanding of the effect of the plasma on the flow. The key points of the analysis are 1) explanation of the mechanism for the two-stage ignition and quenching observed experimentally, 2) explanation of the existence of a power threshold above which the plasma is beneficial to the ignition probability, 3) understanding of the increase in power absorbed by the plasma in burning conditions and the reduction in power absorbed with an increase in the cross velocity, 4) explanation of the non-symmetric emissions and the increase in luminescence at the rotovibrational H2O band. The model is validated in part against air-H2 flow experiments. This material is based in part upon work supported by the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, under Award Number DE-NA0002374.

Assessing and ranking the flammability of some ornamental plant species to select firewise plants for landscaping in WUI (SE France).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganteaume, A.; Jappiot, M.; Lampin, C.

2012-04-01

The increasing urbanization of Wildland-Urban Interfaces (WUI) as well as the high fire occurrence in these areas requires the assessment and the ranking of the flammability of the ornamental vegetation surrounding houses especially that planted in hedges. Thus, the flammability of seven species, among those most frequently planted in hedges in Provence (South-Eastern France), were studied at particle level and at dead surface fuel level (litters) under laboratory conditions. The flammability parameters (ignition frequency, time-to-ignition, flaming duration) of the very fine particles (live leaves and particles <2 mm in diameter) were measured using an epiradiator as burning device. The flammability parameters (ignition frequency, time-to-ignition, flaming duration and initial flame propagation) of the undisturbed litter samples were recorded during burning experiments performed on fire bench. Burning experiments using the epiradiator showed that live leaves of Phyllostachys sp., Photinia frasei and Prunus laurocerasus had the shortest time-to-ignition and the highest ignition frequency and flaming duration whereas Pittosporum tobira and Nerium oleander were the longest to ignite with a low frequency. Phyllostachys sp. and Nerium oleander litters were the shortest to ignite while Prunus laurocerasus litter had the lowest bulk density and long time-to-ignition, but high flame propagation. Photinia fraseri litter ignited frequently and had a high flame spread while Pittosporum tobira litter ignited the least frequently and for the shortest duration. Cupressus sempervirens litter had the highest bulk density and the longest flaming duration but the lowest flame propagation. Pyracantha coccinea litter was the longest to ignite and flame propagation was low but lasted a long time. Hierarchical cluster analysis performed on the flammability parameters of live leaves and of litters ranked the seven species in four distinct clusters from the most flammable (Prunus laurocerasus and Pyracantha coccinea) to the least flammable (Pittosporum tobira and Nerium oleander); the other species displaying two groups of intermediate flammabilities (Phyllostachys sp.- Photinia fraseri and Cupressus sempervirens ). The species with highly flammable characteristics should not be used in hedges planted in WUIs in South-Eastern France.

The use of tritium rich capsules with 25-35% deuterium to achieve ignition at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, D. C.; Spears, B. K.; Hatchett, S. P., Ii; Cerjan, C. J.; Springer, P. T.; Clark, D. S.; Edwards, M. J.; Salmonson, J. D.; Weber, S. V.; Hammel, B. A.; Grim, G. P.; Herrmann, H. W.; Wilke, M. D.

2010-08-01

Diagnostics such as neutron yield, ion temperature, image size and shape, and bang time in capsules with >~25 % deuterium fuel show changes due to burn product heating. The comparison of performance between a THD(2%) and THD(35%) can help predict ignition in a TD(50%) capsule. Surrogacy of THD capsules to TD(50%) is incomplete due to variations in fuel molecular vapour pressures. TD(25-35%) capsules might be preferred to study hot spot heating, but at the risk of increased fuel/ablator mixing.

Ignition and combustion: Low compression ratio, high output diesel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The feasibility of converting a spark ignition aircraft engine GTSI0-520 to compression ignition without increasing the peak combustion pressure of 1100 lbs/sq.in. was determined. The final contemplated utilized intake air heating at idle and light load and a compression ratio of about 10:1 with a small amount of fumigation (the addition of about 15% fuel into the combustion air before the cylinder). The engine used was a modification of a Continental-Teledyne gasoline engine cylinder from the GTSI0-520 supercharged aircraft engine.

Hydrogen as an Auxiliary Fuel in Compression-Ignition Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerrish, Harold C; Foster, H

1936-01-01

An investigation was made to determine whether a sufficient amount of hydrogen could be efficiently burned in a compression-ignition engine to compensate for the increase of lift of an airship due to the consumption of the fuel oil. The performance of a single-cylinder four-stroke-cycle compression-ignition engine operating on fuel oil alone was compared with its performance when various quantities of hydrogen were inducted with the inlet air. Engine-performance data, indicator cards, and exhaust-gas samples were obtained for each change in engine-operating conditions.

The fire-safe cigarette: a burn prevention tool.

PubMed

Barillo, D J; Brigham, P A; Kayden, D A; Heck, R T; McManus, A T

2000-01-01

Cigarettes are the most common ignition source for fatal house fires, which cause approximately 29% of the fire deaths in the United States. A common scenario is the delayed ignition of a sofa, chair, or mattress by a lit cigarette that is forgotten or dropped by a smoker whose alertness is impaired by alcohol or medication. Cigarettes are designed to continue burning when left unattended. If they are dropped on mattresses, upholstered furniture, or other combustible material while still burning, their propensity to start fires varies depending on the cigarette design and content. The term "fire-safe" has evolved to describe cigarettes designed to have a reduced propensity for igniting mattresses and upholstered furniture. Legislative interest in the development of fire-safe smoking materials has existed for more than 50 years. Studies that showed the technical and economic feasibility of commercial production of fire-safe cigarettes were completed more than 10 years ago. Despite this, commercial production of fire-safe smoking materials has not been undertaken. The current impasse relates to the lack of consensus on a uniform test method on which to base a standard for fire-safe cigarettes. Although the fire-safe cigarette is a potentially important burn prevention tool, commercial production of such cigarettes will not occur until a standard against which fire-starting performance can be measured has been mandated by law at the state or federal level. The burn care community can play a leadership role in such legislative efforts.

Violent Mergers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pakmor, Rüdiger

The progenitor systems and explosion scenarios of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are still heavily debated. The violent merger scenario is a recent addition to explosion scenarios for SNe Ia. Here, two white dwarfs (WDs) in a binary system approach each other owing to the emission of gravitational waves. The interaction between the two WDs preluding or during the merger creates a hotspot on the surface of the primary, more massive, WD that ignites a detonation. If the detonation is a carbon detonation, it completely burns the primary WD leading to a SN Ia. If instead the detonation is a helium detonation in the helium shell of a carbon-oxygen WD, it burns around the primary WD in its helium shell and sends a shock wave into its core that ignites a carbon detonation. Again the primary WD is fully burned. Synthetic observables for explosion models of SNe Ia in the violent merger scenario show good agreement with normal SNe Ia and the subclass of faint, slowly evolving 02es-like SNe Ia for different masses of the primary WD. The violent merger scenario can also explain the delay time distribution and brightness distribution of normal SNe Ia. This chapter discusses in detail the mechanism that leads to ignition in the violent merger scenario, summarizes the properties of explosions in the violent merger scenario and compares to observations. It ends with a summary of the main properties of the population of normal SNe Ia and discusses to which degree they can be explained in the violent merger scenario.

A compact skeletal mechanism for n -dodecane with optimized semi-global low-temperature chemistry for diesel engine simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yao, Tong; Pei, Yuanjiang; Zhong, Bei-Jing

A skeletal mechanism with 54 species and 269 reactions was developed to predict pyrolysis and oxidation of n-dodecane as a diesel fuel surrogate involving both high-temperature (high-T) and low-temperature (low-T) conditions. The skeletal mechanism was developed from a semi-detailed mechanism developed at the University of Southern California (USC). Species and reactions for high-T pyrolysis and oxidation of C5-C12 were reduced by using reaction flow analysis (RFA), isomer lumping, and then merged into a skeletal C0-C4 core to form a high-T sub-mechanism. Species and lumped semi-global reactions for low-T chemistry were then added to the high-T sub-mechanism and a 54-species skeletalmore » mechanism is obtained. The rate parameters of the low-T reactions were tuned against a detailed mechanism by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), as well as the Spray A flame experimental data, to improve the prediction of ignition delay at low-T conditions, while the high-T chemistry remained unchanged. The skeletal mechanism was validated for auto-ignition, perfectly stirred reactors (PSR), flow reactors and laminar premixed flames over a wide range of flame conditions. The skeletal mechanism was then employed to simulate three-dimensional turbulent spray flames at compression ignition engine conditions and validated against experimental data from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN).« less

Piloted Ignition to Flaming in Smoldering Fire-Retarded Polyurethane Foam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Putzeys, O.; Fernandez-Pello, A. C.; Urban, D. L.

2007-01-01

Experimental results are presented on the piloted transition from smoldering to flaming in the fire-retarded polyurethane foam Pyrell . The samples are small rectangular blocks with a square cross section, vertically placed in the wall of a vertical wind tunnel. Three of the vertical sample sides are insulated and the fourth side is exposed to an upward oxidizer flow of variable oxygen concentration and to a variable radiant heat flux. The gases emitted from the smoldering reaction pass upwards through a pilot, which consists of a coiled resistance heating wire. In order to compensate for the solid-phase and gas-phase effects of the fire retardants on the piloted transition from smoldering to flaming in Pyrell, it was necessary to assist the process by increasing the power supplied to the smolder igniter and the pilot (compared to that used for non-fire retarded foam). The experiments indicate that the piloted transition from smoldering to flaming occurs when the gaseous mixture at the pilot passes the lean flammability limit. It was found that increasing the oxygen concentration or the external heat flux increases the likelihood of a piloted transition from smoldering to flaming, and generally decreases the time delay to transition. The piloted transition to flaming is observed in oxygen concentrations of 23% and above in both low-density and high-density Pyrell. Comparisons with previous experiments show that the piloted transition from smoldering to flaming is possible under a wider range of external conditions (i.e. lower oxygen concentration) than the spontaneous transition from smoldering to flaming. The results show that the fire retardants in Pyrell are very effective in preventing the piloted transition to flaming in normal air, but Pyrell is susceptible to smoldering and the piloted transition to flaming in oxygen-enriched environments. Therefore, precautions should be taken in the design of applications of Pyrell in oxygen-enriched environments to reduce to the risk of a piloted transition to flaming.

Non-equilibrium dynamics due to moving deflagration front at RDX/HTPB interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaudhuri, Santanu; Joshi, Kaushik; Lacevic, Naida

Reactive dissipative particle dynamics (DPD-RX), a promising tool in characterizing the sensitivity and performance of heterogeneous solid propellants like polymer bonded explosives (PSXs), requires further testing for non-equilibrium dynamics. It is important to understand detailed atomistic chemistry for developing coarse grain reactive models needed for the DPD-RX. In order to obtain insights into combustion chemistry of RDX/HTPB binder, we used reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) to obtain energy up-pumping and reaction mechanisms at RDX/HTPB interface when exposed to a self-sustaining deflagration front. Hot spots are ignited near and away from the heterogeneous interface using the thermal pulse. The results show that the hot spot near interface significantly delays the transition from ignition to deflagration. We will present the mechanical response and the combustion chemistry of HTPB when the propagating deflagration front hits the polymer binder. We will discuss our efforts to incorporate this RMD based chemistry into the DPD-RX which will enable us to perform such non-equilibrium dynamics simulations on large-length scale with microstructural heterogeneities. Funding from DTRA Grant Number HDTRA1-15-1-0034 is acknowledged.

Enhancement of burning velocity by dissociated oxygen atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akashi, Haruaki; Yoshinaga, Tomokazu; Sasaki, Koichi

2015-09-01

Green technology, such as preventing global warming, has been developed for years. Researches on plasma assisted combustion is one of the technologies and have been done for investigating more efficient combustion, more efficient use of fossil fuel with plasmas or applying electric fields. In the ignition time delay analyses with the dissociated oxygen atoms which is generated by non-equilibrium plasma had significant effect on the ignition time. In this paper, dissociated oxygen could effect on burning velocity or not has been examined using CHEMKIN. As a result, no effect can be seen with dissociation degree of lower than 10-3. But there is an effect on the enhancement of burning velocity with higher degree of 10-3. At the dissociation degree of 5×10-2, the burning velocity is enhanced at a factor of 1.24. And it is found that the distributions of each species in front of preheat zone are completely different. The combustion process is proceeded several steps in advance, and generation of H2O, CO and CO2 can be seen before combustion in higher dissociation case. This work was supported by KAKENHI (22340170).

Photo-ignition process of multiwall carbon nanotubes and ferrocene by continuous wave Xe lamp illumination.

PubMed

Visconti, Paolo; Primiceri, Patrizio; Longo, Daniele; Strafella, Luciano; Carlucci, Paolo; Lomascolo, Mauro; Cretì, Arianna; Mele, Giuseppe

2017-01-01

This work aims to investigate and characterize the photo-ignition phenomenon of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures by using a continuous wave (CW) xenon (Xe) light source, in order to find the power ignition threshold by employing a different type of light source as was used in previous research (i.e., pulsed Xe lamp). The experimental photo-ignition tests were carried out by varying the weight ratio of the used mixtures, luminous power, and wavelength range of the incident Xe light by using selective optical filters. For a better explanation of the photo-induced ignition process, the absorption spectra of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures and ferrocene only were obtained. The experimental results show that the luminous power (related to the entire spectrum of the Xe lamp) needed to trigger the ignition of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures decreases with increasing metal nanoparticles content according to previously published results when using a different type of light source (i.e., pulsed vs CW Xe light source). Furthermore, less light power is required to trigger photo-ignition when moving towards the ultraviolet (UV) region. This is in agreement with the measured absorption spectra, which present higher absorption values in the UV-vis region for both MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures and ferrocene only diluted in toluene. Finally, a chemo-physical interpretation of the ignition phenomenon is proposed whereby ferrocene photo-excitation, due to photon absorption, produces ferrocene itself in its excited form and is thus capable of promoting electron transfer to MWCNTs. In this way, the resulting radical species, FeCp2 +∙ and MWCNT - , easily react with oxygen giving rise to the ignition of MWCNT/ferrocene samples.

Photo-ignition process of multiwall carbon nanotubes and ferrocene by continuous wave Xe lamp illumination

PubMed Central

Primiceri, Patrizio; Longo, Daniele; Strafella, Luciano; Carlucci, Paolo; Lomascolo, Mauro; Cretì, Arianna; Mele, Giuseppe

2017-01-01

This work aims to investigate and characterize the photo-ignition phenomenon of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures by using a continuous wave (CW) xenon (Xe) light source, in order to find the power ignition threshold by employing a different type of light source as was used in previous research (i.e., pulsed Xe lamp). The experimental photo-ignition tests were carried out by varying the weight ratio of the used mixtures, luminous power, and wavelength range of the incident Xe light by using selective optical filters. For a better explanation of the photo-induced ignition process, the absorption spectra of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures and ferrocene only were obtained. The experimental results show that the luminous power (related to the entire spectrum of the Xe lamp) needed to trigger the ignition of MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures decreases with increasing metal nanoparticles content according to previously published results when using a different type of light source (i.e., pulsed vs CW Xe light source). Furthermore, less light power is required to trigger photo-ignition when moving towards the ultraviolet (UV) region. This is in agreement with the measured absorption spectra, which present higher absorption values in the UV–vis region for both MWCNT/ferrocene mixtures and ferrocene only diluted in toluene. Finally, a chemo-physical interpretation of the ignition phenomenon is proposed whereby ferrocene photo-excitation, due to photon absorption, produces ferrocene itself in its excited form and is thus capable of promoting electron transfer to MWCNTs. In this way, the resulting radical species, FeCp2+∙ and MWCNT−, easily react with oxygen giving rise to the ignition of MWCNT/ferrocene samples. PMID:28144572

How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters

PubMed Central

Leins, Martina; Gaiser, Sandra; Schulz, Andreas; Walker, Matthias; Schumacher, Uwe; Hirth, Thomas

2015-01-01

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a stable and continuous operation of the plasma is possible and the plasma torch can be used for many different applications. On one hand, the hot (3,600 K gas temperature) plasma can be used for chemical processes and on the other hand the cold afterglow (temperatures down to almost RT) can be applied for surface processes. For example chemical syntheses are interesting volume processes. Here the microwave plasma torch can be used for the decomposition of waste gases which are harmful and contribute to the global warming but are needed as etching gases in growing industry sectors like the semiconductor branch. Another application is the dissociation of CO2. Surplus electrical energy from renewable energy sources can be used to dissociate CO2 to CO and O2. The CO can be further processed to gaseous or liquid higher hydrocarbons thereby providing chemical storage of the energy, synthetic fuels or platform chemicals for the chemical industry. Applications of the afterglow of the plasma torch are the treatment of surfaces to increase the adhesion of lacquer, glue or paint, and the sterilization or decontamination of different kind of surfaces. The movie will explain how to ignite the plasma solely by microwave power without any additional igniters, e.g., electric sparks. The microwave plasma torch is based on a combination of two resonators — a coaxial one which provides the ignition of the plasma and a cylindrical one which guarantees a continuous and stable operation of the plasma after ignition. The plasma can be operated in a long microwave transparent tube for volume processes or shaped by orifices for surface treatment purposes. PMID:25938699

Shock ignition targets: gain and robustness vs ignition threshold factor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atzeni, Stefano; Antonelli, Luca; Schiavi, Angelo; Picone, Silvia; Volponi, Gian Marco; Marocchino, Alberto

2017-10-01

Shock ignition is a laser direct-drive inertial confinement fusion scheme, in which the stages of compression and hot spot formation are partly separated. The hot spot is created at the end of the implosion by a converging shock driven by a final ``spike'' of the laser pulse. Several shock-ignition target concepts have been proposed and relevant gain curves computed (see, e.g.). Here, we consider both pure-DT targets and more facility-relevant targets with plastic ablator. The investigation is conducted with 1D and 2D hydrodynamic simulations. We determine ignition threshold factors ITF's (and their dependence on laser pulse parameters) by means of 1D simulations. 2D simulations indicate that robustness to long-scale perturbations increases with ITF. Gain curves (gain vs laser energy), for different ITF's, are generated using 1D simulations. Work partially supported by Sapienza Project C26A15YTMA, Sapienza 2016 (n. 257584), Eurofusion Project AWP17-ENR-IFE-CEA-01.

Auto-ignition of methane-air mixtures flowing along an array of thin catalytic plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treviño, C.

2010-12-01

In this paper, the heterogeneous ignition of a methane-air mixture flowing along an infinite array of catalytic parallel plates has been studied by inclusion of gas expansion effects and the finite heat conduction on the plates. The system of equations considers the full compressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the energy equations of the plates. The gas expansion effects which arise from temperature changes have been considered. The heterogeneous kinetics considers the adsorption and desorption reactions for both reactants. The limits of large and small longitudinal thermal conductance of the plate material are analyzed and the critical conditions for ignition are obtained in closed form. The governing equations are solved numerically using finite differences. The results show that ignition is more easily produced as the longitudinal wall thermal conductance increases, and the effects of the gas expansion on the catalytic ignition process are rather small due to the large value of the activation energy of the desorption reaction of adsorbed oxygen atoms.

Fundamental Interactions in Gasoline Compression Ignition Engines with Fuel Stratification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolk, Benjamin Matthew

Transportation accounted for 28% of the total U.S. energy demand in 2011, with 93% of U.S. transportation energy coming from petroleum. The large impact of the transportation sector on global climate change necessitates more-efficient, cleaner-burning internal combustion engine operating strategies. One such strategy that has received substantial research attention in the last decade is Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). Although the efficiency and emissions benefits of HCCI are well established, practical limits on the operating range of HCCI engines have inhibited their application in consumer vehicles. One such limit is at high load, where the pressure rise rate in the combustion chamber becomes excessively large. Fuel stratification is a potential strategy for reducing the maximum pressure rise rate in HCCI engines. The aim is to introduce reactivity gradients through fuel stratification to promote sequential auto-ignition rather than a bulk-ignition, as in the homogeneous case. A gasoline-fueled compression ignition engine with fuel stratification is termed a Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) engine. Although a reasonable amount of experimental research has been performed for fuel stratification in GCI engines, a clear understanding of how the fundamental in-cylinder processes of fuel spray evaporation, mixing, and heat release contribute to the observed phenomena is lacking. Of particular interest is gasoline's pressure sensitive low-temperature chemistry and how it impacts the sequential auto-ignition of the stratified charge. In order to computationally study GCI with fuel stratification using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and chemical kinetics, two reduced mechanisms have been developed. The reduced mechanisms were developed from a large, detailed mechanism with about 1400 species for a 4-component gasoline surrogate. The two versions of the reduced mechanism developed in this work are: (1) a 96-species version and (2) a 98-species version including nitric oxide formation reactions. Development of reduced mechanisms is necessary because the detailed mechanism is computationally prohibitive in three-dimensional CFD and chemical kinetics simulations. Simulations of Partial Fuel Stratification (PFS), a GCI strategy, have been performed using CONVERGE with the 96-species reduced mechanism developed in this work for a 4-component gasoline surrogate. Comparison is made to experimental data from the Sandia HCCI/GCI engine at a compression ratio 14:1 at intake pressures of 1 bar and 2 bar. Analysis of the heat release and temperature in the different equivalence ratio regions reveals that sequential auto-ignition of the stratified charge occurs in order of increasing equivalence ratio for 1 bar intake pressure and in order of decreasing equivalence ratio for 2 bar intake pressure. Increased low- and intermediate-temperature heat release with increasing equivalence ratio at 2 bar intake pressure compensates for decreased temperatures in higher-equivalence ratio regions due to evaporative cooling from the liquid fuel spray and decreased compression heating from lower values of the ratio of specific heats. The presence of low- and intermediate-temperature heat release at 2 bar intake pressure alters the temperature distribution of the mixture stratification before hot-ignition, promoting the desired sequential auto-ignition. At 1 bar intake pressure, the sequential auto-ignition occurs in the reverse order compared to 2 bar intake pressure and too fast for useful reduction of the maximum pressure rise rate compared to HCCI. Additionally, the premixed portion of the charge auto-ignites before the highest-equivalence ratio regions. Conversely, at 2 bar intake pressure, the premixed portion of the charge auto-ignites last, after the higher-equivalence ratio regions. More importantly, the sequential auto-ignition occurs over a longer time period for 2 bar intake pressure than at 1 bar intake pressure such that a sizable reduction in the maximum pressure rise rate compared to HCCI can be achieved.

Dark Matter Ignition of Type Ia Supernovae.

PubMed

Bramante, Joseph

2015-10-02

Recent studies of low redshift type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) indicate that half explode from less than Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs, implying ignition must proceed from something besides the canonical criticality of Chandrasekhar mass SN Ia progenitors. We show that 1-100 PeV mass asymmetric dark matter, with imminently detectable nucleon scattering interactions, can accumulate to the point of self-gravitation in a white dwarf and collapse, shedding gravitational potential energy by scattering off nuclei, thereby heating the white dwarf and igniting the flame front that precedes SN Ia. We combine data on SN Ia masses with data on the ages of SN Ia-adjacent stars. This combination reveals a 2.8σ inverse correlation between SN Ia masses and ignition ages, which could result from increased capture of dark matter in 1.4 vs 1.1 solar mass white dwarfs. Future studies of SN Ia in galactic centers will provide additional tests of dark-matter-induced type Ia ignition. Remarkably, both bosonic and fermionic SN Ia-igniting dark matter also resolve the missing pulsar problem by forming black holes in ≳10  Myr old pulsars at the center of the Milky Way.

A trial of ignition innovation of gasoline engine by nanosecond pulsed low temperature plasma ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiraishi, Taisuke; Urushihara, Tomonori; Gundersen, Martin

2009-07-01

Application of nanosecond pulsed low temperature plasma as an ignition technique for automotive gasoline engines, which require a discharge under conditions of high back pressure, has been studied experimentally using a single-cylinder engine. The nanosecond pulsed plasma refers to the transient (non-equilibrated) phase of a plasma before the formation of an arc discharge; it was obtained by applying a high voltage with a nanosecond pulse (FWHM of approximately 80 or 25 ns) between coaxial cylindrical electrodes. It was confirmed that nanosecond pulsed plasma can form a volumetric multi-channel streamer discharge at an energy consumption of 60 mJ cycle-1 under a high back pressure of 1400 kPa. It was found that the initial combustion period was shortened compared with the conventional spark ignition. The initial flame visualization suggested that the nanosecond pulsed plasma ignition results in the formation of a spatially dispersed initial flame kernel at a position of high electric field strength around the central electrode. It was observed that the electric field strength in the air gap between the coaxial cylindrical electrodes was increased further by applying a shorter pulse. It was also clarified that the shorter pulse improved ignitability even further.

Capsule implosion optimization during the indirect-drive National Ignition Campaign

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Landen, O. L.; Edwards, J.; Haan, S. W.

2011-05-15

Capsule performance optimization campaigns will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller, E. I. Moses, and C. R. Wuest, Nucl. Fusion 44, 228 (2004)] to substantially increase the probability of ignition. The campaigns will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition experiments. The quantitative goals and technique options and down selections for the tuning campaigns are first explained. The computationally derived sensitivities to key laser and target parameters are compared to simple analyticmore » models to gain further insight into the physics of the tuning techniques. The results of the validation of the tuning techniques at the OMEGA facility [J. M. Soures et al., Phys. Plasmas 3, 2108 (1996)] under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design are shown to meet the required sensitivity and accuracy. A roll-up of all expected random and systematic uncertainties in setting the key ignition laser and target parameters due to residual measurement, calibration, cross-coupling, surrogacy, and scale-up errors has been derived that meets the required budget. Finally, we show how the tuning precision will be improved after a number of shots and iterations to meet an acceptable level of residual uncertainty.« less

The Effect of Particle Properties on Hot Particle Spot Fire Ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zak, Casey David

The ignition of natural combustible material by hot metal particles is an important fire ignition pathway by which wildland and wildland-urban-interface spot fires are started. There are numerous cases reported of wild fires started by clashing power-lines or from sparks generated by machines or engines. Similarly there are many cases reported of fires caused by grinding, welding and cutting sparks. Up to this point, research on hot particle spot fire ignition has largely focused on particle generation and transport. A small number of studies have examined what occurs after a hot particle contacts a natural fuel bed, but until recently the process remained poorly understood. This work describes an investigation of the effect of particle size, temperature and thermal properties on the ability of hot particles to cause flaming ignition of cellulosic fuel beds. Both experimental and theoretical approaches are used, with a focus on understanding the physics underlying the ignition process. For the experimental study, spheres of stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper are heated in a tube furnace and dropped onto a powdered cellulose fuel bed; the occurrence of flaming ignition or lack thereof is visually observed and recorded. This procedure is repeated a large number of times for each metal type, varying particle diameter from 2 to 11 mm and particle temperature between 575 and 1100°C. The results of these experiments are statistically analyzed to find approximate ignition boundaries and identify boundary trends with respect to the particle parameters of interest. Schlieren images recorded during the ignition experiments are also used to more accurately describe the ignition process. Based on these images, a simple theoretical model of hot particle spot fire ignition is developed and used to explore the experimental trends further. The model under-predicts the minimum ignition temperatures required for small spheres, but agrees qualitatively with the experimental data. Model simulations identify the important physics controlling ignition for different sized particles and clarify many of the experimental trends. The results show a hyperbolic relationship between particle size and temperature, with the larger particles requiring lower temperatures to ignite the cellulose than the smaller particles. For very small spheres, the temperature required for ignition is very sensitive to particle size, while for very large spheres, ignition temperature shows only a weak dependence on that variable. Flaming ignition of powdered cellulose by particles ≤ 11 mm in size requires particle temperatures of at least 600°C. Ignition has not been observed for 2 mm particles at temperatures up to 1100°C, but the statistical analysis indicates that ignition by particles 2 mm and smaller may be possible at temperatures above 950°C. No clear trend is observed with particle metal type, but copper particles require slightly higher ignition temperatures and seem more sensitive to experimental variation, likely due to their relatively high thermal conductivity. High-speed Schlieren images taken during the ignition experiments show that once particles land, they volatilize the powdered cellulose and the fuel vapor diffuses out into the surrounding air. Ignition occurs in the mixing layer between the vapor and the air, either during the initial expansion of the pyrolyzate away from the particle, or after a stable plume of volatiles has formed. Modeling results indicate that in the large-particle, high-conductivity limit, the particle's surface temperature remains close to its impact temperature over the timescales of ignition. As a result, particle thermal properties are unimportant and ignition occurs when heat generation in the mixing layer overcomes losses to the surrounding air. When the large-particle limit does not apply, the particle cools upon impact with the fuel bed. In addition to the losses to the surrounding air, the reaction zone experiences losses to the cooling particle and must generate a larger amount of heat for ignition to occur. Because cooling is so important, the initial bulk energy is more useful than impact temperature for predicting ignition by smaller particles. Along those lines, the additional heat of melting available to molten particles helps to resist particle cooling; as such, molten aluminum particles 3.5 -- 7 mm in diameter can ignite at lower temperatures than solid particles of the same size with similar thermal properties. Decreasing volumetric heat capacity does increase minimum ignition temperature somewhat, but this effect is reduced for larger particles. Emissivity does not appear to have a significant effect on ignition propensity, suggesting that, over the timescales of ignition, radiation heat transfer is small relative to other modes of particle heat loss.

Jet-A reaction mechanism study for combustion application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Chi-Ming; Kundu, Krishna; Acosta, Waldo

1991-01-01

Simplified chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms for the combustion of Jet A fuel was studied. Initially, 40 reacting species and 118 elementary chemical reactions were chosen based on a literature review. Through a sensitivity analysis with the use of LSENS General Kinetics and Sensitivity Analysis Code, 16 species and 21 elementary chemical reactions were determined from this study. This mechanism is first justified by comparison of calculated ignition delay time with the available shock tube data, then it is validated by comparison of calculated emissions from the plug flow reactor code with in-house flame tube data.

A Thermochemical Kinetic-Based Study of Ignition Delays for 2-Azidoethanamine-Red Fuming Nitric Acid Systems: 2-Azido-N-Methylethanamine (MMAZ) Vs. 2-Azido-N,N-Dimethylethanamine (DMAZ)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT UU 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 68 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON Chiung-Chu Chen a. REPORT Unclassified b. ABSTRACT Unclassified c ...Abstraction Reactions 33 Appendix C . Geometric Representations, Normal Mode Frequencies, and Moments of Inertia for Molecular Structures Involved in...from MMAZ and DMAZ by NO2 are also shown. ....................13 Figure 6. Potential energy diagram for the C •H2NHCH2CH2N3 + NO2 system: G4-based

Electronic delay ignition module for single bridgewire Apollo standard initiator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, R. D.

1975-01-01

An engineering model and a qualification model of the EDIM were constructed and tested to Scout flight qualification criteria. The qualification model incorporated design improvements resulting from the engineering model tests. Compatibility with single bridgewire Apollo standard initiator (SBASI) was proven by test firing forty-five (45) SBASI's with worst case voltage and temperature conditions. The EDIM was successfully qualified for Scout flight application with no failures during testing of the qualification unit. Included is a method of implementing the EDIM into Scout vehicle hardware and the ground support equipment necessary to check out the system.

Fundamental Mechanisms, Predictive Modeling, and Novel Aerospace Applications of Plasma Assisted Combustion

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-22

0.0, pulse #10 Front view: T0=500 K, ϕ=0.3 Front view: T0=300 K, ϕ=0.0 200 Torr DBD Discharges : 20 kV, 10kHz ICCD gate 50 ns. P = 20 Torr #5...0.60 19,050 49 ppm 0.47 10,820 Non-diffusive hybrid scheme for simulation of filamentary discharges AVALANCHE TO STREAMER TRANSITION IN...Specific Deposited Discharge Energy and Energy Deposited in First Pulse С2Н2:О2:Ar = 17:83:900 (φ = 0.5) Ignition delay time in С2Н2:О2:Ar

Impact of High-Temperature, High-Pressure Synthesis Conditions on the Formation of the Grain Structure and Strength Properties of Intermetallic Ni3Al

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ovcharenko, V. E.; Ivanov, K. V.; Boyangin, E. N.; Krylova, T. A.; Pshenichnikov, A. P.

2018-01-01

The impact of the preliminary load on 3Ni+Al powder mixture and the impact of the duration of the delay in application of compacting pressure to synthesis product under the conditions of continuous heating of the mixture up to its self-ignition on the grain size and strength properties of the synthesized Ni3Al intermetallide material have been studied. The grain structure of the intermetallide synthesized under pressure was studied by means of metallography, transmission electron microscopy and EBSD analysis, with the dependence of ultimate tensile strength on the grain size in the synthesized intermetallide having been investigated at room temperature and at temperatures up to 1000°C. It is shown that an increase in the pressure preliminarily applied to the initial mixture compact results in reduced grain size of the final intermetallide, whereas an increase in pre-compaction time makes the grain size increased. A decrease in the grain size increases the ultimate tensile strength of the intermetallide. The maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength in the observed anomalous temperature dependence of this strength exhibits a shift by 200°C toward higher temperatures, and the ultimate strength of the synthesized intermetallide at 1000°C increases roughly two-fold.

Novel Laser Ignition Technique Using Dual-Pulse Pre-Ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumitrache, Ciprian

Recent advances in the development of compact high power laser sources and fiber optic delivery of giant pulses have generated a renewed interest in laser ignition. The non-intrusive nature of laser ignition gives it a set of unique characteristics over the well-established capacitive discharge devices (or spark plugs) that are currently used as ignition sources in engines. Overall, the use of laser ignition has been shown to have a positive impact on engine operation leading to a reduction in NOx emission, fuel saving and an increased operational envelope of current engines. Conventionally, laser ignition is achieved by tightly focusing a high-power q-switched laser pulse until the optical intensity at the focus is high enough to breakdown the gas molecules. This leads to the formation of a spark that serves as the ignition source in engines. However, there are certain disadvantages associated with this ignition method. This ionization approach is energetically inefficient as the medium is transparent to the laser radiation until the laser intensity is high enough to cause gas breakdown. As a consequence, very high energies are required for ignition (about an order of magnitude higher energy than capacitive plugs at stoichiometric conditions). Additionally, the fluid flow induced during the plasma recombination generates high vorticity leading to high rates of flame stretching. In this work, we are addressing some of the aforementioned disadvantages of laser ignition by developing a novel approach based on a dual-pulse pre-ionization scheme. The new technique works by decoupling the effect of the two ionization mechanisms governing plasma formation: multiphoton ionization (MPI) and electron avalanche ionization (EAI). An UV nanosecond pulse (lambda = 266 nm) is used to generate initial ionization through MPI. This is followed by an overlapped NIR nanosecond pulse (lambda = 1064 nm) that adds energy into the pre-ionized mixture into a controlled manner until the gas temperature is suitable for combustion (T=2000-3000 K). This technique is demonstrated by attempting ignition of various mixtures of propane-air and it is shown to have distinct advantages when compared to the classical approach: lower ignition energy for given stoichiometry than conventional laser ignition ( 20% lower), extension of the lean limit ( 15% leaner) and improvement in combustion efficiency. Moreover, it is demonstrated that careful alignment of the two pulses influences the fluid dynamics of the early flame kernel growth. This finding has a number of implications for practical uses as it demonstrates that the flame kernel dynamics can be tailored using various combinations of laser pulses and opens the door for implementing such a technique to applications such as: flame holding and flame stabilization in high speed flow combustors (such as ramjet and scramjet engines), reducing flame stretching in highly turbulent combustion devices and increasing combustion efficiency for stationary natural gas engines. As such, the work presented in this dissertation should be of interest to a broad audience including those interested in combustion research, engine operation, chemically reacting flows, plasma dynamics and laser diagnostics.

On the critical flame radius and minimum ignition energy for spherical flame initiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Zheng; Burke, M. P.; Ju, Yiguang

2011-01-01

Spherical flame initiation from an ignition kernel is studied theoretically and numerically using different fuel/oxygen/helium/argon mixtures (fuel: hydrogen, methane, and propane). The emphasis is placed on investigating the critical flame radius controlling spherical flame initiation and its correlation with the minimum ignition energy. It is found that the critical flame radius is different from the flame thickness and the flame ball radius and that their relationship depends strongly on the Lewis number. Three different flame regimes in terms of the Lewis number are observed and a new criterion for the critical flame radius is introduced. For mixtures with Lewis numbermore » larger than a critical Lewis number above unity, the critical flame radius is smaller than the flame ball radius but larger than the flame thickness. As a result, the minimum ignition energy can be substantially over-predicted (under-predicted) based on the flame ball radius (the flame thickness). The results also show that the minimum ignition energy for successful spherical flame initiation is proportional to the cube of the critical flame radius. Furthermore, preferential diffusion of heat and mass (i.e. the Lewis number effect) is found to play an important role in both spherical flame initiation and flame kernel evolution after ignition. It is shown that the critical flame radius and the minimum ignition energy increase significantly with the Lewis number. Therefore, for transportation fuels with large Lewis numbers, blending of small molecule fuels or thermal and catalytic cracking will significantly reduce the minimum ignition energy.« less

Liquid and Gas Phase Chemistry of Hypergolic Reactions between MMH and NTO or RFNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Black, Ariel

Hypergolic systems rely on fuel and oxidizer propellant combinations that spontaneously ignite upon contact. Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) - based oxidizers embody the state of the art for hypergolic propellants, although the health and safety hazards associated with these propellants demand investigation into less-toxic, high performance alternatives. In order to replicate the combustion characteristics of these highly reactive propellants, a detailed understanding of the full reaction process is necessary. Current reaction mechanisms and hypergolic ignition models generally assume that gas-phase chemistry dominates the interaction since the liquid-phase reactions occur on the order of microseconds. However, condensed-phase reactions produce intermediates integral to gas-phase initiation and development. Additional insight into the physical and chemical processes that dictate this liquid-phase chemistry is therefore essential. Concurrently, further examination of the gas-phase reactions leading to and immediately following ignition is also needed. A method devoted to the determination of the liquid phase hypergolic reaction mechanism and kinematic rate parameters for MMH-NTO and MMH-red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) is presented in this study. MMH-RFNA reaction chemistry is better understood and documented in literature than MMH-NTO and is examined for comparison and validation. Drop on pool experiments at a range of temperatures were initially undertaken using MMH and RFNA and then modified to accommodate the high vapor pressure of NTO. Using a temperature and atmosphere controlled droplet contact chamber, the liquid phases of MMH-RFNA and MMH-NTO were studied by capturing impacts at frame rates from 100,000 to 500,000 fps. This footage allowed for the identification of time delays between droplet contact and initial gas formation, enabling calibration of the Arrhenius pre-exponential factors and activation energies for a global, one-step liquid phase chemical reaction model. These defining constants have never before been experimentally determined for MMH-NTO and can be employed to improve the accuracy of CFD combustion simulations. Induction delay times for MMH-RFNA ranged from 30 to 100 microseconds, agreeing with previously reported data, while MMH-NTO delays varied from 10 to 100 microseconds. Advanced ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic techniques were applied to conventional drop test analysis in order to study the emitting species in MMH-NTO and MMH-RFNA combustion reactions. A streak camera coupled with a spectrometer provided temporally resolved spectra for species emitting wavelengths from 250 to 950 nm within a one millimeter diameter point of interest above the reaction. The spectra were compared to known MMH-RFNA gas-phase reaction mechanisms and spectroscopic data reported in literature in an attempt to partially validate the proposed full and reduced MMH-RFNA reaction mechanisms and derive a connection to elementary reactions of MMH-NTO. MMH-NTO consistently produced brighter flames than MMH-RFNA and as such generally generated higher intensity signals for a given spectrometer setting. Both propellant combinations revealed conclusive evidence of OH and NH radicals and probable evidence of CN and/or CH radicals. In most tests OH* yielded the highest intensity signals with both RFNA and NTO. MMH-NTO revealed greater NH* intensity than MMH-RFNA. Additionally, species appeared later but peaked sooner relative to ignition for MMH-RFNA than for MMH-NTO. Efforts to draw correlations between these experimental results and existing reaction mechanisms proved to be challenging and are ongoing. A dominant, high intensity signal characteristic of sodium was an unexpected, but apparently not uncommon, observation, with varying opinions as to its origin.

Differences in Leaf Flammability, Leaf Traits and Flammability-Trait Relationships between Native and Exotic Plant Species of Dry Sclerophyll Forest

PubMed Central

Murray, Brad R.; Hardstaff, Lyndle K.; Phillips, Megan L.

2013-01-01

The flammability of plant leaves influences the spread of fire through vegetation. Exotic plants invading native vegetation may increase the spread of bushfires if their leaves are more flammable than native leaves. We compared fresh-leaf and dry-leaf flammability (time to ignition) between 52 native and 27 exotic plant species inhabiting dry sclerophyll forest. We found that mean time to ignition was significantly faster in dry exotic leaves than in dry native leaves. There was no significant native-exotic difference in mean time to ignition for fresh leaves. The significantly higher fresh-leaf water content that was found in exotics, lost in the conversion from a fresh to dry state, suggests that leaf water provides an important buffering effect that leads to equivalent mean time to ignition in fresh exotic and native leaves. Exotic leaves were also significantly wider, longer and broader in area with significantly higher specific leaf area–but not thicker–than native leaves. We examined scaling relationships between leaf flammability and leaf size (leaf width, length, area, specific leaf area and thickness). While exotics occupied the comparatively larger and more flammable end of the leaf size-flammability spectrum in general, leaf flammability was significantly correlated with all measures of leaf size except leaf thickness in both native and exotic species such that larger leaves were faster to ignite. Our findings for increased flammability linked with larger leaf size in exotics demonstrate that exotic plant species have the potential to increase the spread of bushfires in dry sclerophyll forest. PMID:24260169

Alaska's Changing Fire Regime - Implications for the Vulnerability of Its Boreal Forests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kasischke, E. S.; Hoy, E. E.; Verbyla, D. L.; Rupp, T. S.; Duffy, P. A.; McGuire, A. D.; Murphy, K. A.; Jandt, R.; Barnes, J. L.; Calef, M.;

Planar Laser-Plasma Interaction Experiments at Direct-Drive Ignition-Relevant Scale Lengths at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, M. J.; Solodov, A. A.; Seka, W.; Myatt, J. F.; Regan, S. P.; Hohenberger, M.; Epstein, R.; Froula, D. H.; Radha, P. B.; Michel, P. A.; Moody, J. D.; Masse, L.; Goyon, C.; Turnbull, D. P.; Barrios, M. A.; Bates, J. W.; Schmitt, A. J.

2016-10-01

The first experiments at the National Ignition Facility to probe laser-plasma interactions and the hot electron production at scale lengths relevant to direct-drive ignition are reported. The irradiation on one side of planar CH foils generated a plasma at the quarter-critical surface with predicted density scale lengths of Ln 600 μm, measured electron temperatures of Te 3.5 to 4.0 keV, and overlapped laser intensities of I 6 to 15 ×1014W/cm2. Optical emission from stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and at ω/2 are correlated with the time-dependent hard x-ray signal. The fraction of laser energy converted to hot electrons increased from 0.5 % to 2.3 % as the laser intensity increased from 6 to 15 ×1014W/cm2, while the hot electron temperature was nearly constant around 40 to 50 keV. Only a sharp red-shifted feature is observed around ω/2, and both refracted and sidescattered SRS are detected, suggesting that multibeam SRS contributes to, and may even dominate, hot-electron production. These results imply a diminished presence of two-plasmon decay relative to SRS at these conditions, which has implications for hot-electron preheat mitigation strategies for direct-drive ignition. This work is supported by the DOE NNSA under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Experimental investigation of spontaneous ignition and flame propagation at pressurized hydrogen release through tubes with varying cross-section.

PubMed

Duan, Qiangling; Xiao, Huahua; Gao, Wei; Gong, Liang; Sun, Jinhua

2016-12-15

An experimental investigation of spontaneous ignition and flame propagation at high-pressure hydrogen release via cylindrical tubes with varying cross-section is presented. Tubes with different transverse cross-sections are considered in the experiments: (1) local contraction, (2) local enlargement, (3) abrupt contraction, and (4) abrupt enlargement. The results show that the presence of the varying cross-section geometries can significantly promote the occurrence of spontaneous ignition. Compared to the tube with constant cross-section, the minimum pressure release needed for spontaneous ignition for the varying cross-sections tubes is considerably lower. Moreover, the initial ignition location is closer to the disk in the presence of varying cross-section geometries in comparison with straight channel. As the flame emerges from the outlet of the tube, the velocity of the flame front in the vicinity of the nozzle increases sharply. Then, a deflagration develops across the mixing zone of hydrogen/air mixture. The maximum deflagration overpressure increases linearly with the release pressure. Subsequently, a hydrogen jet flame is produced and evolves different shapes at different release stages. A fireball is formed after the jet flame spouts in the open air. Later, the fireball develops into a jet flame which shifts upward and continues to burn in the vertical direction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ignition of Combustible Dust Clouds by Strong Capacitive Electric Sparks of Short Discharge Times

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eckhoff, Rolf K.

2017-10-01

It has been known for more than half a century that the discharge times of capacitive electric sparks can influence the minimum ignition energies of dust clouds substantially. Experiments by various workers have shown that net electric-spark energies for igniting explosive dust clouds in air were reduced by a factor of the order of 100 when spark discharge times were increased from a few μs to 0.1-1 ms. Experiments have also shown that the disturbance of the dust cloud by the shock/blast wave emitted by "short" spark discharges is a likely reason for this. The disturbance increases with increasing spark energy. In this paper a hitherto unpublished comprehensive study of this problem is presented. The work was performed about 50 years ago, using sparks of comparatively high energies (strong sparks). Lycopodium was used as test dust. The experiments were conducted in a brass vessel of 1 L volume. A transient dust cloud was generated in the vessel by a blast of compressed air. Synchronization of appearance of dust cloud and spark discharge was obtained by breaking the spark gap down by the dust cloud itself. This may in fact also be one possible synchronization mechanism in accidental industrial dust explosions initiated by electrostatic sparks. The experimental results for various spark energies were expressed as the probability of ignition, based on 100 replicate experiments, as a function of the nominal dust concentration. All probabilities obtained were 0%

Hydro-scaling of DT implosions on the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Pravesh; Spears, Brian; Clark, Dan

2017-10-01

Recent implosion experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) exceed 50 kJ in fusion yield and exhibit yield amplifications of >2.5-3x due to alpha-particle self-heating of the hot-spot. Two methods to increase the yield are (i) to improve the implosion quality, or stagnation pressure, at fixed target scale (by increasing implosion velocity, reducing 3D effects, etc.), and (ii) to hydrodynamically scale the capsule and absorbed energy. In the latter case the stagnation pressure remains constant, but the yield-in the absence of alpha-heating-increases as Y S 4 . 5 , where the capsule radius is increased by S, and the absorbed energy by S3 . With alpha-heating the increase with scale is considerably stronger. We present projections in the performance of current DT experiments, and the extrapolations to ignition, based on applying hydro-scaling theory and accounting for the effect of alpha-heating. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Breakdown characteristics of atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge in gas flow condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Zhihui; Yan, Huijie; Wang, Yuying; Liu, Yidi; Guo, Hongfei; Ren, Chunsheng

2018-05-01

Experimental investigations of the breakdown characteristics of plate-to-plate dielectric barrier discharge excited by an AC source at different gas flow conditions are carried out. The ignition voltage for the appearance of the very first discharge filament and the breakdown voltage in each discharge half cycle in continuous operation are examined. As revealed by the results of the indoor air experiment, the ignition voltage manifests a monotonous increase with the increase in the gas flow rate, while the breakdown voltage has a marked decline at the low gas flow rate and increases slightly as the gas flow rate is higher than 10 m/s. As regards the obvious decreases in the ignition voltage and breakdown voltage, the decrease in the humidity with the increase in the gas flow rate plays a dominant role. As regards the increase in breakdown voltage, the memory effect from the preceding discharge is considered. The losses of metastable particles, together with particles having high translational energy in the gas flow, are considered to be the most critical factors.

Evaporation And Ignition Of Dense Fuel Sprays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, Josette; Harstad, Kenneth G.

1988-01-01

Simple theoretical model makes useful predictions of trends. Pair of reports presents theoretical model of evaporation and ignition of sprayed liquid fuel. Developed as part of research in combustion of oil and liquid fuels derived from coal, tar sand, and shale in furnace. Work eventually contributes to increase efficiency of combustion and decrease pollution generated by burning of such fuels.

Effect of viscoplasticity on ignition sensitivity of an HMX based PBX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hardin, D. Barrett; Zhou, Min

2017-01-01

The effect of viscoplastic deformation of the energetic component (HMX) on the mechanical, thermal, and ignition responses of a two-phase (HMX and Estane) PBX is analyzed. PBX microstructures are subjected to impact loading from a constant velocity piston traveling at a rate of 50 to 200 m/s. The analysis uses a 2D cohesive finite element framework, the focus of which is to evaluate the relative ignition sensitivity of the materials to determine the effect of the viscoplasticity of HMX on the responses. To delineate this effect, two sets of calculations are carried out; one set assumes the HMX grains are fully hyperelastic, and the other set assumes the HMX grains are elastic-viscoplastic. Results show that PBX specimens with elastic-viscoplastic HMX grains experience lower average and peak temperature rises, and as a result, show lower numbers of hotspots. An ignition criterion based on a criticality threshold obtained from chemical kinetics is used to quantify the ignition behavior of the materials. The criterion focuses on hotspot size and temperature to determine if a hotspot will undergo thermal runaway. It is found that the viscoplasticity of HMX increases the minimum load duration, mean load duration, threshold loading velocity, and total input energy required for ignition.

Ignition threshold of aluminized HMX-based PBXs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Christopher; Zhou, Min

2017-06-01

We report the results of micromechanical simulations of the ignition of aluminized HMX-based PBX under loading due to impact by thin flyers. The conditions analyzed concern loading pulses on the order of 20 nanoseconds to 0.8 microseconds in duration and impact piston velocities on the order of 300-1000 ms-1. The samples consist of a stochastically similar bimodal distribution of HMX grains, an Estane binder, and 50 μm aluminum particles. The computational model accounts for constituent elasto-vicoplasticity, viscoelasticity, bulk compressibility, fracture, interfacial debonding, fracture, internal contact, bulk and frictional heating, and heat conduction. The analysis focuses on the development of hotspots under different material settings and loading conditions. In particular, the ignition threshold in the form of the James relation and the corresponding ignition probability are calculated for the PBXs containing 0%, 6%, 10%, and 18% aluminum by volume. It is found that the addition of aluminum increases the ignition threshold, causing the materials to be less sensitive. Dissipation and heating mechanism changes responsible for this trend are delineated. Support by DOE NNSA SSGF is gratefully acknowledged.

Modeling anthropogenic and natural fire ignitions in an inner-alpine valley

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vacchiano, Giorgio; Foderi, Cristiano; Berretti, Roberta; Marchi, Enrico; Motta, Renzo

2018-03-01

Modeling and assessing the factors that drive forest fire ignitions is critical for fire prevention and sustainable ecosystem management. In southern Europe, the anthropogenic component of wildland fire ignitions is especially relevant. In the Alps, however, the role of fire as a component of disturbance regimes in forest and grassland ecosystems is poorly known. The aim of this work is to model the probability of fire ignition for an Alpine region in Italy using a regional wildfire archive (1995-2009) and MaxEnt modeling. We analyzed separately (i) winter forest fires, (ii) winter fires on grasslands and fallow land, and (iii) summer fires. Predictors were related to morphology, climate, and land use; distance from infrastructures, number of farms, and number of grazing animals were used as proxies for the anthropogenic component. Collinearity among predictors was reduced by a principal component analysis. Regarding ignitions, 30 % occurred in agricultural areas and 24 % in forests. Ignitions peaked in the late winter-early spring. Negligence from agrosilvicultural activities was the main cause of ignition (64 %); lightning accounted for 9 % of causes across the study time frame, but increased from 6 to 10 % between the first and second period of analysis. Models for all groups of fire had a high goodness of fit (AUC 0.90-0.95). Temperature was proportional to the probability of ignition, and precipitation was inversely proportional. Proximity from infrastructures had an effect only on winter fires, while the density of grazing animals had a remarkably different effect on summer (positive correlation) and winter (negative) fires. Implications are discussed regarding climate change, fire regime changes, and silvicultural prevention. Such a spatially explicit approach allows us to carry out spatially targeted fire management strategies and may assist in developing better fire management plans.

Cookoff Modeling of a WIPP waste drum (68660)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hobbs, Michael L.

2014-11-24

A waste drum located 2150 feet underground may have been the root cause of a radiation leak on February 14, 2014. Information provided to the WIPP Technical Assessment Team (TAT) was used to describe the approximate content of the drum, which included an organic cat litter (Swheat Scoop®, or Swheat) composed of 100% wheat products. The drum also contained various nitrate salts, oxalic acid, and a nitric acid solution that was neutralized with triethanolamine (TEA). CTH-TIGER was used with the approximate drum contents to specify the products for an exothermic reaction for the drum. If an inorganic adsorbent such asmore » zeolite had been used in lieu of the kitty litter, the overall reaction would have been endothermic. Dilution with a zeolite adsorbent might be a useful method to remediate drums containing organic kitty litter. SIERRA THERMAL was used to calculate the pressurization and ignition of the drum. A baseline simulation of drum 68660 was performed by assuming a background heat source of 0.5-10 W of unknown origin. The 0.5 W source could be representative of heat generated by radioactive decay. The drum ignited after about 70 days. Gas generation at ignition was predicted to be 300-500 psig with a sealed drum (no vent). At ignition, the wall temperature increases modestly by about 1°C, demonstrating that heating would not be apparent prior to ignition. The ignition location was predicted to be about 0.43 meters above the bottom center portion of the drum. At ignition only 3-5 kg (out of 71.6 kg total) has been converted into gas, indicating that most of the material remained available for post-ignition reaction.« less

Energy release properties of amorphous boron and boron-based propellant primary combustion products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Daolun; Liu, Jianzhong; Xiao, Jinwu; Xi, Jianfei; Wang, Yang; Zhang, Yanwei; Zhou, Junhu

2015-07-01

The microstructure of amorphous boron and the primary combustion products of boron-based fuel-rich propellant (hereafter referred to as primary combustion products) was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Composition analysis of the primary combustion products was carried out by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The energy release properties of amorphous boron and the primary combustion products were comparatively studied by laser ignition experimental system and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry. The primary combustion products contain B, C, Mg, Al, B4C, B13C2, BN, B2O3, NH4Cl, H2O, and so on. The energy release properties of primary combustion products are different from amorphous boron, significantly. The full-time spectral intensity of primary combustion products at a wavelength of 580 nm is ~2% lower than that of amorphous boron. The maximum spectral intensity of the former at full wave is ~5% higher than that of the latter. The ignition delay time of primary combustion products is ~150 ms shorter than that of amorphous boron, and the self-sustaining combustion time of the former is ~200 ms longer than that of the latter. The thermal oxidation process of amorphous boron involves water evaporation (weight loss) and boron oxidation (weight gain). The thermal oxidation process of primary combustion products involves two additional steps: NH4Cl decomposition (weight loss) and carbon oxidation (weight loss). CL-20 shows better combustion-supporting effect than KClO4 in both the laser ignition experiments and the thermal oxidation experiments.

Experimental and modeling studies of a biofuel surrogate compound: laminar burning velocities and jet-stirred reactor measurements of anisole

DOE PAGES

Wagnon, Scott W.; Thion, Sebastien; Nilsson, Elna J. K.; ...

2017-11-23

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising alternative fuel source which can promote energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize fuel consumption when paired with advanced combustion strategies. Pyrolysis is used to convert lignocellulosic biomass into a complex mixture of phenolic-rich species that can be used in a transportation fuel. Anisole (or methoxybenzene) can be used as a surrogate to represent these phenolic-rich species. Anisole also has attractive properties as a fuel component for use in advanced spark-ignition engines because of its high blending research octane number of 120. Presented in the current work are new measurements of laminar burning velocities,more » jet-stirred reactor (JSR) speciation of anisole/O 2/N 2 mixtures, and the development and validation of a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for anisole. Homogeneous, steady state, fixed gas temperature, perfectly stirred reactor CHEMKIN simulations were used to validate the mechanism against the current JSR measurements and published JSR experiments from CNRS-Nancy. Pyrolysis and oxidation simulations were based on the experimental reactant compositions and thermodynamic state conditions including P = 1 bar and T = 675–1275 K. The oxidation compositions studied in this work span fuel-lean (φ = 0.5), stoichiometric, and fuel rich (φ = 2.0) equivalence ratios. Laminar burning velocities were measured on a heat flux stabilized burner at an unburnt T = 358 K, P = 1 bar and simulated using the CHEMKIN premixed laminar flame speed module. Ignition delay times of anisole were then simulated at conditions relevant to advanced combustion strategies. Current laminar burning velocity measurements and predicted ignition delay times were compared to gasoline components (e.g., n-heptane, iso-octane, and toluene) and gasoline surrogates to highlight differences and similarities in behavior. Reaction path analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to explain the pathways relevant to the current studies. Under pyrolysis and oxidative conditions, unimolecular decomposition of anisole to phenoxy radicals and methyl radicals was found to be important due to the relatively low bond strength between the oxygen and methyl group, ~65 kcal/mol. Finally, reactions of these abundant phenoxy radicals with O 2 were found to be critical to accurately reproduce anisole's reactivity.« less

Experimental and modeling studies of a biofuel surrogate compound: laminar burning velocities and jet-stirred reactor measurements of anisole

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wagnon, Scott W.; Thion, Sebastien; Nilsson, Elna J. K.

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising alternative fuel source which can promote energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize fuel consumption when paired with advanced combustion strategies. Pyrolysis is used to convert lignocellulosic biomass into a complex mixture of phenolic-rich species that can be used in a transportation fuel. Anisole (or methoxybenzene) can be used as a surrogate to represent these phenolic-rich species. Anisole also has attractive properties as a fuel component for use in advanced spark-ignition engines because of its high blending research octane number of 120. Presented in the current work are new measurements of laminar burning velocities,more » jet-stirred reactor (JSR) speciation of anisole/O 2/N 2 mixtures, and the development and validation of a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for anisole. Homogeneous, steady state, fixed gas temperature, perfectly stirred reactor CHEMKIN simulations were used to validate the mechanism against the current JSR measurements and published JSR experiments from CNRS-Nancy. Pyrolysis and oxidation simulations were based on the experimental reactant compositions and thermodynamic state conditions including P = 1 bar and T = 675–1275 K. The oxidation compositions studied in this work span fuel-lean (φ = 0.5), stoichiometric, and fuel rich (φ = 2.0) equivalence ratios. Laminar burning velocities were measured on a heat flux stabilized burner at an unburnt T = 358 K, P = 1 bar and simulated using the CHEMKIN premixed laminar flame speed module. Ignition delay times of anisole were then simulated at conditions relevant to advanced combustion strategies. Current laminar burning velocity measurements and predicted ignition delay times were compared to gasoline components (e.g., n-heptane, iso-octane, and toluene) and gasoline surrogates to highlight differences and similarities in behavior. Reaction path analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to explain the pathways relevant to the current studies. Under pyrolysis and oxidative conditions, unimolecular decomposition of anisole to phenoxy radicals and methyl radicals was found to be important due to the relatively low bond strength between the oxygen and methyl group, ~65 kcal/mol. Finally, reactions of these abundant phenoxy radicals with O 2 were found to be critical to accurately reproduce anisole's reactivity.« less

Oxidation kinetics of hydride-bearing uranium metal corrosion products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Totemeier, Terry C.; Pahl, Robert G.; Frank, Steven M.

The oxidation behavior of hydride-bearing uranium metal corrosion products from Zero Power Physics Reactor (ZPPR) fuel plates was studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) in environments of Ar-4%O 2, Ar-9%O 2, and Ar-20%O 2. Ignition of corrosion product samples from two moderately corroded plates was observed between 125°C and 150°C in all environments. The rate of oxidation above the ignition temperature was found to be dependent only on the net flow rate of oxygen in the reacting gas. Due to the higher net oxygen flow rate, burning rates increased with increasing oxygen concentration. Oxidation rates below the ignition temperature were much slower and decreased with increasing test time. The hydride contents of the TGA samples from the two moderately corroded plates, determined from the total weight gain achieved during burning, were 47-61 wt% and 29-39 wt%. Samples from a lightly corroded plate were not reactive; X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that they contained little hydride.

Stabilization of high-compression, indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions using a 4-shock adiabat-shaped drive

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacPhee, A. G.; Peterson, J. L.; Casey, D. T.

Hydrodynamic instabilities and poor fuel compression are major factors for capsule performance degradation in ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility. Using a recently developed laser drive profile with a decaying first shock to tune the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (ARM) instability and subsequent in-flight Rayleigh-Taylor growth, we have demonstrated reduced growth compared to the standard ignition pulse whilst maintaining conditions for a low fuel adiabat needed for increased compression. Using in-flight x-ray radiography of pre-machined modulations, the first growth measurements using this new ARM-tuned drive have demonstrated instability growth reduction of ∼4× compared to the original design at a convergence ratiomore » of ∼2. Corresponding simulations give a fuel adiabat of ∼1.6, similar to the original goal and consistent with ignition requirements.« less

Stabilization of high-compression, indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions using a 4-shock adiabat-shaped drive

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacPhee, A. G.; Peterson, J. L.; Casey, D. T.

Hydrodynamic instabilities and poor fuel compression are major factors for capsule performance degradation in ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility. Using a recently developed laser drive profile with a decaying first shock to tune the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (ARM) instability and subsequent in-flight Rayleigh-Taylor growth, we have demonstrated reduced growth compared to the standard ignition pulse whilst maintaining conditions for a low fuel adiabat needed for increased compression. Here, using in-flight x-ray radiography of pre-machined modulations, the first growth measurements using this new ARM-tuned drive have demonstrated instability growth reduction of ~4× compared to the original design at a convergencemore » ratio of ~2. Corresponding simulations give a fuel adiabat of ~1.6, similar to the original goal and consistent with ignition requirements.« less

Stabilization of high-compression, indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions using a 4-shock adiabat-shaped drive

DOE PAGES

MacPhee, A. G.; Peterson, J. L.; Casey, D. T.; ...

2015-08-01

Hydrodynamic instabilities and poor fuel compression are major factors for capsule performance degradation in ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility. Using a recently developed laser drive profile with a decaying first shock to tune the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (ARM) instability and subsequent in-flight Rayleigh-Taylor growth, we have demonstrated reduced growth compared to the standard ignition pulse whilst maintaining conditions for a low fuel adiabat needed for increased compression. Here, using in-flight x-ray radiography of pre-machined modulations, the first growth measurements using this new ARM-tuned drive have demonstrated instability growth reduction of ~4× compared to the original design at a convergencemore » ratio of ~2. Corresponding simulations give a fuel adiabat of ~1.6, similar to the original goal and consistent with ignition requirements.« less

A Study on Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Gasoline Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, Makoto; Morikawa, Koji; Itoh, Jin; Saishu, Youhei

A new engine concept consisting of HCCI combustion for low and midrange loads and spark ignition combustion for high loads was introduced. The timing of the intake valve closing was adjusted to alter the negative valve overlap and effective compression ratio to provide suitable HCCI conditions. The effect of mixture formation on auto-ignition was also investigated using a direct injection engine. As a result, HCCI combustion was achieved with a relatively low compression ratio when the intake air was heated by internal EGR. The resulting combustion was at a high thermal efficiency, comparable to that of modern diesel engines, and produced almost no NOx emissions or smoke. The mixture stratification increased the local A/F concentration, resulting in higher reactivity. A wide range of combustible A/F ratios was used to control the compression ignition timing. Photographs showed that the flame filled the entire chamber during combustion, reducing both emissions and fuel consumption.

Berkeley Lighting Cone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lask, Kathleen; Gadgil, Ashok

A lighting cone is a simple metal cone placed on the fuel bed of a stove during ignition to act as a chimney, increasing the draft through the fuel bed. Many stoves tend to be difficult to light due to poor draft through the fuel bed, so lighting cones are used in various parts of the world as an inexpensive accessory to help with ignition.

Laboratory investigation of fire protection coatings for creosote-treated timber railroad bridges

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen; Robert H. White; James P. Wacker; Stan T. Lebow; Mark A. Dietenberger; Samuel L. Zelinka; Nicole M. Stark

2014-01-01

As the incidence of timber railroad bridge fires increases, so has the need to develop protective measures to reduce the risk from accidental ignitions primarily caused by hot metal objects. Of the six barrier treatments evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to protect timbers from fires sourced with ignition from hot metal objects only one intumescent coating...

A Survey of Studies on Ignition and Burn of Inertially Confined Fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atzeni, Stefano

2016-10-01

A survey of studies on ignition and burn of inertial fusion fuels is presented. Potentials and issues of different approaches to ignition (central ignition, fast ignition, volume ignition) are addressed by means of simple models and numerical simulations. Both equimolar DT and T-lean mixtures are considered. Crucial issues concerning hot spot formation (implosion symmetry for central ignition; igniting pulse parameters for fast ignition) are briefly discussed. Recent results concerning the scaling of the ignition energy with the implosion velocity and constrained gain curves are also summarized.

Progress Toward Ignition on the National Ignition Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kauffman, R L

2011-10-17

The principal approach to ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is indirect drive. A schematic of an ignition target is shown in Figure 1. The laser beams are focused through laser entrance holes at each end of a high-Z cylindrical case, or hohlraum. The lasers irradiate the hohlraum walls producing x-rays that ablate and compress the fuel capsule in the center of the hohlraum. The hohlraum is made of Au, U, or other high-Z material. For ignition targets, the hohlraum is {approx}0.5 cm diameter by {approx}1 cm in length. The hohlraum absorbs the incident laser energy producing x-rays formore » symmetrically imploding the capsule. The fuel capsule is a {approx}2-mm-diameter spherical shell of CH, Be, or C filled with DT fuel. The DT fuel is in the form of a cryogenic layer on the inside of the capsule. X-rays ablate the outside of the capsule, producing a spherical implosion. The imploding shell stagnates in the center, igniting the DT fuel. NIC has overseen installation of all of the hardware for performing ignition experiments, including commissioning of approximately 50 diagnostic systems in NIF. The diagnostics measure scattered optical light, x-rays from the hohlraum over the energy range from 100 eV to 500 keV, and x-rays, neutrons, and charged particles from the implosion. An example of a diagnostic is the Magnetic Recoil Spectrometer (MRS) built by a collaboration of scientists from MIT, UR-LLE, and LLNL shown in Figure 2. MRS measures the neutron spectrum from the implosion, providing information on the neutron yield and areal density that are metrics of the quality of the implosion. Experiments on NIF extend ICF research to unexplored regimes in target physics. NIF can produce more than 50 times the laser energy and more than 20 times the power of any previous ICF facility. Ignition scale hohlraum targets are three to four times larger than targets used at smaller facilities, and the ignition drive pulses are two to five times longer. The larger targets and longer pulse lengths produce unique plasma conditions for laser-plasma instabilities that could reduce hohlraum coupling efficiency. Initial experiments have demonstrated efficient coupling of laser energy to x-rays. X-ray drive greater than 300 eV has been measured in gas-filled ignition hohlraum and shows the expected scaling with laser energy and hohlraum scale size. Experiments are now optimizing capsule implosions for ignition. Ignition conditions require assembling the fuel with sufficient density and temperature for thermonuclear burn. X-rays ablate the outside of the capsule, accelerating and spherically compressing the capsule for assembling the fuel. The implosion stagnates, heating the central core and producing a hot spot that ignites and burns the surrounding fuel. The four main characteristics of the implosion are shell velocity, central hot spot shape, fuel adiabat, and mix. Experiments studying these four characteristics of implosions are used to optimize the implosion. Integrated experiments using cryogenic fuel layer experiments demonstrate the quality of the implosion as the optimization experiments progress. The final compressed fuel conditions are diagnosed by measuring the x-ray emission from the hot core and the neutrons and charged particles produced in the fusion reactions. Metrics of the quality of the implosion are the neutron yield and the shell areal density, as well as the size and shape of the core. The yield depends on the amount of fuel in the hot core and its temperature and is a gauge of the energy coupling to the fuel. The areal density, the density of the fuel times its thickness, diagnoses the fuel assembly, which is measured using the fraction of neutrons that are down scattered passing through the dense shell. The yield and fraction of down scattered neutrons, or shell rho-r, from the cryogenic layered implosions are shown in Figure 3. The different sets of data represent results after a series of implosion optimization experiments. Both yield and areal density show significant increases as a result of the optimization. The experimental Ignition Threshold Factor (ITFX) is a measure of the progress toward ignition. ITFX is analogous to the Lawson Criterion in Magnetic Fusion. Implosions have improved by over a factor of 50 since the first cryogenic layered experiments were done in September 2010. This increase is a measure of the progress made toward the ignition goal in the past year. Optimization experiments are planned in the coming year for continued improvement in implosion performance to achieve the ignition goal. In summary, NIF has made significant progress toward ignition in the 30 months since project completion. Diagnostics and all of the supporting equipment are in place for ignition experiments. The Ignition Campaign is under way as a national collaborative effort of all the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) science laboratories as well as international partners.« less

14 CFR 27.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... master ignition control. (b) Each group of ignition switches, except ignition switches for turbine engines for which continuous ignition is not required, and each master ignition control must have a means... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 27.1145 Ignition...

14 CFR 27.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... master ignition control. (b) Each group of ignition switches, except ignition switches for turbine engines for which continuous ignition is not required, and each master ignition control must have a means... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 27.1145 Ignition...

14 CFR 27.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... master ignition control. (b) Each group of ignition switches, except ignition switches for turbine engines for which continuous ignition is not required, and each master ignition control must have a means... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 27.1145 Ignition...

14 CFR 27.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... master ignition control. (b) Each group of ignition switches, except ignition switches for turbine engines for which continuous ignition is not required, and each master ignition control must have a means... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 27.1145 Ignition...

14 CFR 27.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... master ignition control. (b) Each group of ignition switches, except ignition switches for turbine engines for which continuous ignition is not required, and each master ignition control must have a means... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 27.1145 Ignition...

Ignition characterization of LOX/hydrocarbon propellants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawver, B. R.; Rousar, D. C.; Wong, K. Y.

1985-01-01

The results of an evaluation of the ignition characteristics of the gaseous oxygen (Gox)/Ethanol propellant combination are presented. Ignition characterization was accomplished through the analysis, design, fabrication and testing of a spark initiated torch igniter and prototype 620 lbF thruster/igniter assembly. The igniter was tested over a chamber pressure range of 74 to 197 psia and mixture ratio range of 0.778 to 3.29. Cold (-92 to -165 F) and ambient (44 to 80 F) propellant temperatures were used. Spark igniter ignition limits and thruster steady state and pulse mode, performance, cooling and stability data are presented. Spark igniter ignition limits are presented in terms of cold flow pressure, ignition chamber diameter and mixture ratio. Thruster performance is presented in terms of vacuum specific impulse versus engine mixture ratio. Gox/Ethanol propellants were shown to be ignitable over a wide range of mixture ratios. Cold propellants were shown to have a minor effect on igniter ignition limits. Thruster pulse mode capability was demonstrated with multiple pulses of 0.08 sec duration and less.

Enhancing the Ignition, Hardness and Compressive Response of Magnesium by Reinforcing with Hollow Glass Microballoons

PubMed Central

Gupta, Manoj

2017-01-01

Magnesium (Mg)/glass microballoons (GMB) metal matrix syntactic foams (1.47–1.67 g/cc) were synthesized using a disintegrated melt deposition (DMD) processing route. Such syntactic foams are of great interest to the scientific community as potential candidate materials for the ever-changing demands in automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors. The synthesized composites were evaluated for their microstructural, thermal, and compressive properties. Results showed that microhardness and the dimensional stability of pure Mg increased with increasing GMB content. The ignition response of these foams was enhanced by ~22 °C with a 25 wt % GMB addition to the Mg matrix. The authors of this work propose a new parameter, ignition factor, to quantify the superior ignition performance that the developed Mg foams exhibit. The room temperature compressive strengths of pure Mg increased with the addition of GMB particles, with Mg-25 wt % GMB exhibiting the maximum compressive yield strength (CYS) of 161 MPa and an ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of 232 MPa for a GMB addition of 5 wt % in Mg. A maximum failure strain of 37.7% was realized in Mg-25 wt % GMB foam. The addition of GMB particles significantly enhanced the energy absorption by ~200% prior to compressive failure for highest filler loading, as compared to pure Mg. Finally, microstructural changes in Mg owing to the presence of hollow GMB particles were elaborately discussed. PMID:28841189

Enhancing the Ignition, Hardness and Compressive Response of Magnesium by Reinforcing with Hollow Glass Microballoons.

PubMed

Manakari, Vyasaraj; Parande, Gururaj; Doddamani, Mrityunjay; Gupta, Manoj

2017-08-25

Magnesium (Mg)/glass microballoons (GMB) metal matrix syntactic foams (1.47-1.67 g/cc) were synthesized using a disintegrated melt deposition (DMD) processing route. Such syntactic foams are of great interest to the scientific community as potential candidate materials for the ever-changing demands in automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors. The synthesized composites were evaluated for their microstructural, thermal, and compressive properties. Results showed that microhardness and the dimensional stability of pure Mg increased with increasing GMB content. The ignition response of these foams was enhanced by ~22 °C with a 25 wt % GMB addition to the Mg matrix. The authors of this work propose a new parameter, ignition factor, to quantify the superior ignition performance that the developed Mg foams exhibit. The room temperature compressive strengths of pure Mg increased with the addition of GMB particles, with Mg-25 wt % GMB exhibiting the maximum compressive yield strength (CYS) of 161 MPa and an ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of 232 MPa for a GMB addition of 5 wt % in Mg. A maximum failure strain of 37.7% was realized in Mg-25 wt % GMB foam. The addition of GMB particles significantly enhanced the energy absorption by ~200% prior to compressive failure for highest filler loading, as compared to pure Mg. Finally, microstructural changes in Mg owing to the presence of hollow GMB particles were elaborately discussed.

Analysis of an Increase in the Efficiency of a Spark Ignition Engine Through the Application of an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkisz, Jerzy; Fuc, Pawel; Lijewski, Piotr; Ziolkowski, Andrzej; Galant, Marta; Siedlecki, Maciej

2016-08-01

We have analyzed the increase of the overall efficiency of a spark ignition engine through energy recovery following the application of an automotive thermoelectric generator (ATEG) of our own design. The design of the generator was developed following emission investigations during vehicle driving under city traffic conditions. The measurement points were defined by actual operation conditions (engine speed and load), subsequently reproduced on an engine dynamometer. Both the vehicle used in the on-road tests and the engine dynamometer were fit with the same, downsized spark ignition engine (with high effective power-to-displacement ratio). The thermodynamic parameters of the exhaust gases (temperature and exhaust gas mass flow) were measured on the engine testbed, along with the fuel consumption and electric current generated by the thermoelectric modules. On this basis, the power of the ATEG and its impact on overall engine efficiency were determined.

Flame ignition studies of conventional and alternative jet fuels and surrogate components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ning

Practical jet fuels are widely used in air-breathing propulsion, but the chemical mechanisms that control their combustion are not yet understood. Thousands of components are contained in conventional and alternative jet fuels, making thus any effort to model their combustion behavior a daunting task. That has been the motivation behind the development of surrogate fuels that contain typically a small number of neat components, whose physical properties and combustion behavior mimic those of the real jet fuel, and whose kinetics could be modeled with increased degree of confidence. Towards that end, a large number of experimental data are required both for the real fuels and the attendant surrogate components that could be used to develop and validate detailed kinetic models. Those kinetic models could be used then upon reduction to model a combustor and eventually optimize its performance. Among all flame phenomena, ignition is rather sensitive to the oxidative and pyrolytic propensity of the fuel as well as to its diffusivity. The counterflow configuration is ideal in probing both the fuel reactivity and diffusivity aspects of the ignition process and it was used in the present work to determine the ignition temperatures of premixed and non-premixed flames of a variety of fuels relevant to air-breathing propulsion. The experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure, elevated unburned fuel mixture temperatures, and various strain rates that were measured locally. Several recent kinetic models were used in direct numerical simulations of the experiments and the computed results were tested against the experimental data. Furthermore, through sensitivity, reaction path, and structure analyses of the computed flames, insight was provided into the dominant mechanisms that control ignition. It was found that ignition is primarily sensitive to fuel diffusion and secondarily sensitive to chemical kinetics and intermediate species diffusivities under the low fuel concentrations. As for the detailed high temperature oxidation chemistry, ignition of normal, branched, and cyclic alkane flames were found to be sensitive largely to H2/CO and C1-C4 small hydrocarbon chemistry, while for branched alkanes fuel-related reactions do have accountable effect on ignition due to the low rate of initial fuel decomposition that limits the overall reactions preceding ignition. Analyses of the computed flame structures revealed that the concentrations of ignition-promoting radicals such as H, HCO, C2H3, and OH, and ignition-inhibiting radicals such as C3H6, aC3H5, and CH3 are key to the occurrence of ignition. Finally, the ignition characteristics of conventional and alternative jet fuels were studied and were to correlate with the chemical classifications and diffusivities of the neat species that are present in the practical fuel.

A computational study of syngas auto-ignition characteristics at high-pressure and low-temperature conditions with thermal inhomogeneities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Pinaki; Mansfield, Andrew B.; Arias, Paul G.; Wooldridge, Margaret S.; Im, Hong G.

2015-09-01

A computational study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of auto-ignition in a syngas mixture at high-pressure and low-temperature conditions in the presence of thermal inhomogeneities. Highly resolved one-dimensional numerical simulations incorporating detailed chemistry and transport were performed. The temperature inhomogeneities were represented by a global sinusoidal temperature profile and a local Gaussian temperature spike (hot spot). Reaction front speed and front Damköhler number analyses were employed to characterise the propagating ignition front. In the presence of a global temperature gradient, the ignition behaviour shifted from spontaneous propagation (strong) to deflagrative (weak), as the initial mean temperature of the reactant mixture was lowered. A predictive Zel'dovich-Sankaran criterion to determine the transition from strong to weak ignition was validated for different parametric sets. At sufficiently low temperatures, the strong ignition regime was recovered due to faster passive scalar dissipation of the imposed thermal fluctuations relative to the reaction timescale, which was quantified by the mixing Damköhler number. In the presence of local hot spots, only deflagrative fronts were observed. However, the fraction of the reactant mixture consumed by the propagating front was found to increase as the initial mean temperature was lowered, thereby leading to more enhanced compression-heating of the end-gas. Passive scalar mixing was not found to be important for the hot spot cases considered. The parametric study confirmed that the relative magnitude of the Sankaran number translates accurately to the quantitative strength of the deflagration front in the overall ignition advancement.

Single Droplet Combustion of Decane in Microgravity: Experiments and Numerical Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietrich, D. L.; Struk, P. M.; Ikegam, M.; Xu, G.

2004-01-01

This paper presents experimental data on single droplet combustion of decane in microgravity and compares the results to a numerical model. The primary independent experiment variables are the ambient pressure and oxygen mole fraction, pressure, droplet size (over a relatively small range) and ignition energy. The droplet history (D(sup 2) history) is non-linear with the burning rate constant increasing throughout the test. The average burning rate constant, consistent with classical theory, increased with increasing ambient oxygen mole fraction and was nearly independent of pressure, initial droplet size and ignition energy. The flame typically increased in size initially, and then decreased in size, in response to the shrinking droplet. The flame standoff increased linearly for the majority of the droplet lifetime. The flame surrounding the droplet extinguished at a finite droplet size at lower ambient pressures and an oxygen mole fraction of 0.15. The extinction droplet size increased with decreasing pressure. The model is transient and assumes spherical symmetry, constant thermo-physical properties (specific heat, thermal conductivity and species Lewis number) and single step chemistry. The model includes gas-phase radiative loss and a spherically symmetric, transient liquid phase. The model accurately predicts the droplet and flame histories of the experiments. Good agreement requires that the ignition in the experiment be reasonably approximated in the model and that the model accurately predict the pre-ignition vaporization of the droplet. The model does not accurately predict the dependence of extinction droplet diameter on pressure, a result of the simplified chemistry in the model. The transient flame behavior suggests the potential importance of fuel vapor accumulation. The model results, however, show that the fractional mass consumption rate of fuel in the flame relative to fuel vaporized is close to 1.0 for all but the lowest ambient oxygen mole fractions.

Investigation on minimum ignition energy of mixtures of α-pinene-benzene/air.

PubMed

Coudour, B; Chetehouna, K; Rudz, S; Gillard, P; Garo, J P

2015-01-01

Minimum ignition energies (MIE) of α-pinene-benzene/air mixtures at a given temperature for different equivalence ratios and fuel proportions are experimented in this paper. We used a cylindrical chamber of combustion using a nanosecond pulse at 1,064 nm from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Laser-induced spark ignitions were studied for two molar proportions of α-pinene/benzene mixtures, respectively 20-80% and 50-50%. The effect of the equivalence ratio (Φ) has been investigated for 0.7, 0.9, 1.1 and 1.5 and ignition of fuel/air mixtures has been experimented for two different incident laser energies: 25 and 33 mJ. This study aims at observing the influence of different α-pinene/benzene proportions on the flammability of the mixture to have further knowledge of the potential of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and smoke mixtures to influence forest fires, especially in the case of the accelerating forest fire phenomenon (AFF). Results of ignition probability and energy absorption are based on 400 laser shots for each studied fuel proportions. MIE results as functions of equivalence ratio compared to data of pure α-pinene and pure benzene demonstrate that the presence of benzene in α-pinene-air mixture tends to increase ignition probability and reduce MIE without depending strongly on the α-pinene/benzene proportion. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ignition in convective-diffusive systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fotache, Catalin Grig

The main goal of this work is understanding the controlling mechanisms and responses of forced ignition in an environment where chemistry and transport phenomena are intimately coupled. To analyze systematically this interaction the well-characterized counterflow configuration is selected whereupon a cold fuel jet impinges on a heated air jet, and ignites as the air temperature is raised gradually. In this configuration the ignition response is studied experimentally and numerically with extensive variations of the fuel dilution, flow strain rate, and ambient pressure, for hydrogen and Csb1{-}Csb4 paraffins. Experimentally, the temperatures are measured by thermocouple and Raman spectroscopy, while flow strain rates are determined through laser Doppler velocimetry. The experimental envelope comprises pressures of 0.1-8.0 atm, fuel concentrations from 0 to 100%, and strain rates between 50 and 700 ssp{-1}. Computations are performed using various detailed kinetic and transport models, whose adequacy is assessed by comparison with the experimental results. Through computational simulations, the controlling ignition mechanisms are isolated and analyzed. Simplified kinetic models are derived and evaluated, by using sensitivity/flux analyses and the Computational Singular Perturbation (CSP) method. The investigation demonstrates that the coupling chemistry-transport can produce unexpected responses, even for the arguably simplest Hsb2-air kinetic system. Here, up to three stable steady-states are identified experimentally for identical boundary conditions, corresponding to the distinct regimes of frozen flow, mild oxidation, and flaming combustion, respectively. These states can be accessed in a dual-staged ignition sequence, with radical runaway followed by thermokinetic ignition. The pattern, however, depends on the imposed parameters. Specifically, three ignition limits are found when pressure is varied; the first two are characterized by radical runaway only, whereas the third is thermokinetic in character, and may involve dual-staged ignition. The similarity with homogeneous pressure-temperature explosion limits is attributed to the dominance of similar chemistry. When this involves fast kinetics only the transport effects are minimal, such as occurs within the second limit. Conversely, the other two limits are transport-sensitive because of the relatively slower dominant chemistry. The homogeneous-heterogeneous analogy persists when studying the hydrocarbons. For example, increasing pressure uniformly facilitates ignition in both systems. The transport of heat and chemical species out of the reaction zone, however, requires higher temperatures for nonpremixed ignition. Furthermore, nonpremixed ignition is affected by preferential diffusion of light species such as Hsb2. As a result, the addition of relatively small amounts of hydrogen to the fuel jet dramatically reduces the ignition temperature for low ignitability fuels, such as methane. Finally, the presence of diffusive-convective losses results in a selection of the most efficient chemical branching modes. For hydrocarbons, this selection typically implies the dominance of high temperature kinetics, although the Csb4 alkanes show possible transition to a low-to-intermediate temperature branching mode in the limit of elevated pressures. Further research is suggested in this area, as well as in other related directions.

A Model based Examination of Conditions for Ignition of Turbidity Currents on Slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehta, A. J.; Krishna, G.

2009-12-01

Turbidity currents form a major mechanism for the movement of sediment in the natural environment. Self-accelerating turbidity currents over continental slopes are of considerable scientific and engineering interest due to their role as agents for submarine sediment transportation from the shelf to the seabed. Such currents are called ignitive provided they eventually reach a catastrophic state as acceleration results in high sediment loads due to erosion of the sloping bed. A numerical model, which treats the fluid and the particles as two separate phases, is applied to investigate the effects of particle size, initial flow friction velocity and mild bed slope on the ignitive condition. Laboratory experimental data have been included as part of the analysis for qualitative comparison purposes. Ignition for the smallest of the three selected sizes (0.21mm) of medium sand typical of Florida beaches was found to depend on the initial conditions at the head of the slope as determined by the pressure gradient. Bed slope seemed to be of secondary importance. For the two sands with larger grain sizes (0.28mm and 0.35mm) the slope was found to play a more important role when compared to the initial pressure gradient. For a given pressure gradient, increasing the slope increased the likelihood of self-acceleration. It is concluded that in general ignition cannot be defined merely in terms of positive values of the velocity gradient and the sediment flux gradient along the slope. Depending on particle size the initial pressure gradient can also play a role. For the selected initial conditions (grain size, pressure gradient and bed slope), out of the 54 combinations tested, all except three satisfied the Knapp-Bagnold criterion for auto-suspension irrespective of whether the turbid current was ignitive or non-ignitive. In all 54 cases the current was found to erode the bed. Further use of the model will require accommodation of wider ranges of sediment size and bed density, and a thorough verification against experimental data.

Present Status and Prospects of FIREX Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mima, K.

2008-07-01

The goal of the first phase of Fast Ignition Realization EXperiment (FIREX) project (FIREX-I) is to demonstrate ignition temperature of 5-10 keV, followed by the second phase to demonstrate ignition and burn. Since starting FIREX-I project, plasma physics study in ILE has been devoted to increase the coupling efficiency and to improve compression performance. The heating efficiency can be increased by the following two ways. 1) A previous experiments indicate that the coupling of heating laser to imploded plasmas increases with coating a low-density. foam used in the experiment, low-Z plastic foam is desired for efficient electron transport. (Lei et al. 2006). 2) Electrons generated in the inner surface of the double cone will return by sheathe potential generated between two cones. A 2-D PIC simulation indicates that hot electron confinement is improved by a factor of 1.7 (Nakamura et al. 2007). Further optimization of cone geometry by 2-D simulation will be presented in the workshop. The implosion performance can be improved by three ways. 1) Low-Z plastic layer coating on the outer surface of the cone: The 2D hydro-simulation PINOCO predicts that the target areal density increases by a factor of 2. 2) Br doped plastic layer on a fuel pellet may significantly moderate the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (Fujioka et al. 2004), making implosion more stable. 3) Reducing vapor gas pressure in a pellet is necessary to suppress strength of a jet that will destroy the cone tip. (Stephens et al. 2005). As for the cryogenic target fabrication, R&D of fabricating foam cryogenic cine shell target are under development by the joint group between Osaka Univ. and NIFS. The amplifier system of the heating laser LFEX is completed in March 2008. The amplification test has demonstrated laser energy of 3 kJ/beam at 3nm bandwidth. The equivalent 12 kJ in 4 beams meets the specification of LFEX. The large tiled gratings for pulse compressor are completed and installed. The short pulse laser will be delivered on a target in September, 2008. The fully integrated fast ignition experiments is scheduled on February 2009 until the end of 2010. If subsequent FIREX-II will start as proposed, the ignition and burn will be demonstrated in parallel to that at NIF and LMJ, providing a scientific database of both central and fast ignition.

The dynamics of Al/Pt reactive multilayer ignition via pulsed-laser irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murphy, Ryan D.; Reeves, Robert V.; Yarrington, Cole D.

2015-12-07

Reactive multilayers consisting of alternating layers of Al and Pt were irradiated by single laser pulses ranging from 100 μs to 100 ms in duration, resulting in the initiation of rapid, self-propagating reactions. The threshold intensities for ignition vary with the focused laser beam diameter, bilayer thickness, and pulse length and are affected by solid state reactions and conduction of heat away from the irradiated regions. High-speed photography was used to observe ignition dynamics during irradiation and elucidate the effects of heat transfer into a multilayer foil. For an increasing laser pulse length, the ignition process transitioned from a more uniform tomore » a less uniform temperature profile within the laser-heated zone. A more uniform temperature profile is attributed to rapid heating rates and heat localization for shorter laser pulses, and a less uniform temperature profile is due to slower heating of reactants and conduction during irradiation by longer laser pulses. Finite element simulations of laser heating using measured threshold intensities indicate that micron-scale ignition of Al/Pt occurs at low temperatures, below the melting point of both reactants.« less

The dynamics of Al/Pt reactive multilayer ignition via pulsed-laser irradiation

DOE PAGES

Murphy, Ryan D.; Reeves, Robert V.; Yarrington, Cole D.; ...

2015-12-07

Reactive multilayers consisting of alternating layers of Al and Pt were irradiated by single laser pulses ranging from 100 μs to 100 ms in duration, resulting in the initiation of rapid, self-propagating reactions. The threshold intensities for ignition vary with the focused laser beam diameter, bilayer thickness, and pulse length and are affected by solid state reactions and conduction of heat away from the irradiated regions. We used high-speed photography to observe ignition dynamics during irradiation and elucidate the effects of heat transfer into a multilayer foil. For an increasing laser pulse length, the ignition process transitioned from a moremore » uniform to a less uniform temperature profile within the laser-heated zone. A more uniform temperature profile is attributed to rapid heating rates and heat localization for shorter laser pulses, and a less uniform temperature profile is due to slower heating of reactants and conduction during irradiation by longer laser pulses. Lastly, finite element simulations of laser heating using measured threshold intensities indicate that micron-scale ignition of Al/Pt occurs at low temperatures, below the melting point of both reactants.« less

Ignition, Transition, Flame Spread in Multidimensional Configurations in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kashiwagi, Takashi; Mell, William E.; McGrattan, Kevin B.; Baum, Howard R.; Olson, Sandra L.; Fujita, Osamu; Kikuchi, Masao; Ito, Kenichi

1997-01-01

Ignition of solid fuels by external thermal radiation and subsequent transition to flame spread are processes that not only are of considerable scientific interest but which also have fire safety applications. A material which undergoes a momentary ignition might be tolerable but a material which permits a transition to subsequent flame spread would significantly increase the fire hazard in a spacecraft. Therefore, the limiting condition under which flame cannot spread should be calculated from a model of the transition from ignition instead of by the traditional approach based on limits to a steady flame spread model. However, although the fundamental processes involved in ignition have been suggested there have been no definitive experimental or modeling studies due to the flow motion generated by buoyancy near the heated sample surface. In this study, microgravity experiments which required longer test times such as in air and surface smoldering experiment were conducted in the space shuttle STS-75 flight; shorter experimental tests such as in 35% and 50% oxygen were conducted in the droptower in the Japan Microgravity Center, JAMIC. Their experimental data along with theoretically calculated results from solving numerically the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are summarized in this paper.

Laser-Plasma Interaction Experiments at Direct-Drive Ignition-Relevant Plasma Conditions at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solodov, A. A.; Rosenberg, M. J.; Myatt, J. F.; Shaw, J. G.; Seka, W.; Epstein, R.; Short, R. W.; Follett, R. K.; Regan, S. P.; Froula, D. H.; Radha, P. B.; Michel, P.; Chapman, T.; Hohenberger, M.

2017-10-01

Laser-plasma interaction (LPI) instabilities, such as stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon decay, can be detrimental for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion because of target preheat by the high-energy electrons they generate. The radiation-hydrodynamic code DRACO was used to design planar-target experiments at the National Ignition Facility that generated plasma and interaction conditions relevant to ignition direct-drive designs (IL 1015W/cm2 , Te > 3 keV, density gradient scale lengths of Ln 600 μm). Laser-energy conversion efficiency to hot electrons of 0.5% to 2.5% with temperature of 45 to 60 keV was inferred from the experiment when the laser intensity at the quarter-critical surface increased from 6 to 15 ×1014W/cm2 . LPI was dominated by SRS, as indicated by the measured scattered-light spectra. Simulations of SRS using the LPI code LPSE have been performed and compared with predictions of theoretical models. Implications for ignition-scale direct-drive experiments will be discussed. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Proton Beam Fast Ignition Fusion: Synergy of Weibel and Rayleigh-Taylor Instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefan, V. Alexander

2011-04-01

The proton beam generation and focusing in fast ignition inertial confinement fusion is studied. The spatial and energy spread of the proton beam generated in a laser-solid interaction is increased due to the synergy of Weibel and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. The focal spot radius can reach 100 μm, which is nearly an order of magnitude larger than the optimal value. The energy spread decreases the beam deposition energy in the focal spot. Under these conditions, ignition of a precompressed DT fuel is achieved with the beam powers much higher than the values presently in consideration. Work supported in part by NIKOLA TESLA Laboratories (Stefan University), La Jolla, CA.

On chemical inhibition of shock wave ignition of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drakon, A. V.; Eremin, A. V.; Mikheyeva, E. Yu

2018-01-01

In this work an influence of the wide range of various inhibitors, namely CCl4, CF3H, C2F4Br2, (CH3O)3P, CF3I and C3F7I on shock-induced ignition of hydrogen was experimentally investigated. Observed temperature dependencies of induction times indicates that CF3H and (CH3O)3P do not show noticeable inhibiting activity at given conditions, while the effectiveness of halogen-containing specie dramatically increases in a row Cl → Br → I. It is shown that the most effective inhibitors of ignition of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures are iodinated hydrocarbons CF3I and C3F7I.

The development and testing of pulsed detonation engine ground demonstrators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panicker, Philip Koshy

2008-10-01

The successful implementation of a PDE running on fuel and air mixtures will require fast-acting fuel-air injection and mixing techniques, detonation initiation techniques such as DDT enhancing devices or a pre-detonator, an effective ignition system that can sustain repeated firing at high rates and a fast and capable, closed-loop control system. The control system requires high-speed transducers for real-time monitoring of the PDE and the detection of the detonation wave speed. It is widely accepted that the detonation properties predicted by C-J detonation relations are fairly accurate in comparison to experimental values. The post-detonation flow properties can also be expressed as a function of wave speed or Mach number. Therefore, the PDE control system can use C-J relations to predict the post-detonation flow properties based on measured initial conditions and compare the values with those obtained from using the wave speed. The controller can then vary the initial conditions within the combustor for the subsequent cycle, by modulating the frequency and duty cycle of the valves, to obtain optimum air and fuel flow rates, as well as modulate the energy and timing of the ignition to achieve the required detonation properties. Five different PDE ground demonstrators were designed, built and tested to study a number of the required sub-systems. This work presents a review of all the systems that were tested, along with suggestions for their improvement. The PDE setups, ranged from a compact PDE with a 19 mm (3/4 in.) i.d., to two 25 mm (1 in.) i.d. setups, to a 101 mm (4 in.) i.d. dual-stage PDE setup with a pre-detonator. Propane-oxygen mixtures were used in the smaller PDEs. In the dual-stage PDE, propane-oxygen was used in the pre-detonator, while propane-air mixtures were used in the main combustor. Both rotary valves and solenoid valve injectors were studied. The rotary valves setups were tested at 10 Hz, while the solenoid valves were tested at up to 30 Hz on a 25 mm i.d. PDE. The dual-stage PDE was run at both 1 Hz and 10 Hz using solenoid valves. The two types of valves have their drawbacks and advantages which are discussed, along with ways to enhance their functionality. Rotary valves with stepper motor drives are recommended to be used for air flow control, while an array of solenoid injectors may be used for liquid or gaseous fuel injection. Various DDT enhancing devices were tested, including Shchelkin spirals (with varying thicknesses, lengths and pitches), grooved sleeves and converging-diverging nozzles. The Shchelkin spirals are found to be the most effective of all, at blockage ratios in the region of 50 to 55%. To improve the durability of Shchelkin spirals, it is recommended that they be grooved into the inside of tubes or inserted as replaceable sleeves. Orifice plates with high blockage ratios, in the region of 50 to 80%, are also recommended due to their simple and rugged design. All these devices along with the PDE combustor will require a strong cooling system to prevent damage from the extreme detonation temperatures. High energy (HE) and low energy (LE) ignition systems were tested and compared along with various designs of igniters and automotive spark plugs. It is concluded that while HE ignition may help unsensitized fuel-air mixtures to achieve detonations faster than LE systems, the former have severe drawbacks. The HE igniters get damaged quickly, and require large and heavy power supplies. While the HE ignition is able to reduce ignition delay in a propane-oxygen pre-detonator, it did not show a significant improvement in bringing about DDT in the main combustor using propane-air mixtures. The compact pre-detonator design with a gradual area change transitioning to a larger combustor is found to be effective for detonation initiation, but the pre-detonator concept is recommended for high-speed applications only, since higher speeds requires more sensitive, easily detonable fuels that have short ignition delays and DDT run-up distances. Dynamic pressure transducers, ion detectors and photo-detectors were compared for the diagnostics of the detonation wave. The ion detector is found to be a safe, cheap and effective choice for obtaining detonation or flame velocities, and better than the optical detector, which is not practical for long-duration PDE operations. The piezoelectric dynamic pressure transducer has problems with heating and requires an effective cooling system to enable it to function in a PDE. Other diagnostics studied include thrust measurement and mass flow rate measurement techniques. Additionally, fuel sensitizing techniques, such as hydrogen blending, along with the DDT devices can ensure that detonations are produced successfully.

Performance and Emission Investigations of Jatropha and Karanja Biodiesels in a Single-Cylinder Compression-Ignition Engine Using Endoscopic Imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mistri, Gayatri K.; Aggarwal, Suresh K.; Longman, Douglas

Biofuels produced from non-edible sources that are cultivated on marginal lands represent a viable source of renewable and carbon-neutral energy. In this context, biodiesel obtained from Jatropha and Karanja oil seeds have received significant interest, especially in South Asian subcontinent. Both of these fuels are produced from non-edible plant seeds with high oil content, which can be grown on marginal lands. In this research, we have investigated the performance and emission characteristics of Jatropha and Karanja methyl esters (biodiesel) and their blends with diesel. Another objective is to examine the effect of long-term storage on biodiesel’s oxidative stability. The biodieselsmore » were produced at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, (IIT Kanpur), India, and the engine experiments were performed in a single cylinder, 4-stroke, compression ignition engine at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Chicago. An endoscope was used to visualize in-cylinder combustion events and examine the soot distribution. The effects of fuel and start of injection (SOI) on engine performance and emissions were investigated. Results indicated that ignition delay was shorter with biodiesel. Consequently the cylinder pressure and premixed heat release were higher for diesel compared to biodiesel. Engine performance data for biodiesel (J100, K100) and biodiesel blends (J30, K30) showed an increase in break thermal efficiency (BTE) (10.9%, 7.6% for biodiesel and blend, respectively), BSFC (13.1% and 5.6%), and NOx emission (9.8% and 12.9%), and a reduction in BSHC (8.64% and 12.9%), and BSCO (15.56% and 4.0%). The soot analysis from optical images qualitatively showed that biodiesel and blends produced less soot compared to diesel. The temperature profiles obtained from optical imaging further supported higher NOx in biodiesels and their blends compared to diesel. Additionally, the data indicated that retarding the injection timing leads to higher BSFC, but lower flame temperatures and NOx levels along with higher soot formation for all test fuels. The physicochemical properties such as fatty acid profile, cetane number, and oxygen content in biodiesels support the observed combustion and emission characteristics of the fuels tested in this study. Finally, the effect of long-term storage is found to increase the glycerol content, acid value and cetane number of the two biodiesels, indicating some oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the fuels.« less

A hybrid-drive nonisobaric-ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

He, X. T., E-mail: xthe@iapcm.ac.cn; Center for Applied Physics and Technology, HEDPS, Peking University, Beijing 100871; IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center of MoE, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai 200240

A new hybrid-drive (HD) nonisobaric ignition scheme of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is proposed, in which a HD pressure to drive implosion dynamics increases via increasing density rather than temperature in the conventional indirect drive (ID) and direct drive (DD) approaches. In this HD (combination of ID and DD) scheme, an assembled target of a spherical hohlraum and a layered deuterium-tritium capsule inside is used. The ID lasers first drive the shock to perform a spherical symmetry implosion and produce a large-scale corona plasma. Then, the DD lasers, whose critical surface in ID corona plasma is far from the radiationmore » ablation front, drive a supersonic electron thermal wave, which slows down to a high-pressure electron compression wave, like a snowplow, piling up the corona plasma into high density and forming a HD pressurized plateau with a large width. The HD pressure is several times the conventional ID and DD ablation pressure and launches an enhanced precursor shock and a continuous compression wave, which give rise to the HD capsule implosion dynamics in a large implosion velocity. The hydrodynamic instabilities at imploding capsule interfaces are suppressed, and the continuous HD compression wave provides main pdV work large enough to hotspot, resulting in the HD nonisobaric ignition. The ignition condition and target design based on this scheme are given theoretically and by numerical simulations. It shows that the novel scheme can significantly suppress implosion asymmetry and hydrodynamic instabilities of current isobaric hotspot ignition design, and a high-gain ICF is promising.« less

Large eddy simulation of the low temperature ignition and combustion processes on spray flame with the linear eddy model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Haiqiao; Zhao, Wanhui; Zhou, Lei; Chen, Ceyuan; Shu, Gequn

2018-03-01

Large eddy simulation coupled with the linear eddy model (LEM) is employed for the simulation of n-heptane spray flames to investigate the low temperature ignition and combustion process in a constant-volume combustion vessel under diesel-engine relevant conditions. Parametric studies are performed to give a comprehensive understanding of the ignition processes. The non-reacting case is firstly carried out to validate the present model by comparing the predicted results with the experimental data from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN). Good agreements are observed in terms of liquid and vapour penetration length, as well as the mixture fraction distributions at different times and different axial locations. For the reacting cases, the flame index was introduced to distinguish between the premixed and non-premixed combustion. A reaction region (RR) parameter is used to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics, and to distinguish the different combustion stages. Results show that the two-stage combustion process can be identified in spray flames, and different ignition positions in the mixture fraction versus RR space are well described at low and high initial ambient temperatures. At an initial condition of 850 K, the first-stage ignition is initiated at the fuel-lean region, followed by the reactions in fuel-rich regions. Then high-temperature reaction occurs mainly at the places with mixture concentration around stoichiometric mixture fraction. While at an initial temperature of 1000 K, the first-stage ignition occurs at the fuel-rich region first, then it moves towards fuel-richer region. Afterwards, the high-temperature reactions move back to the stoichiometric mixture fraction region. For all of the initial temperatures considered, high-temperature ignition kernels are initiated at the regions richer than stoichiometric mixture fraction. By increasing the initial ambient temperature, the high-temperature ignition kernels move towards richer mixture regions. And after the spray flames gets quasi-steady, most heat is released at the stoichiometric mixture fraction regions. In addition, combustion mode analysis based on key intermediate species illustrates three-mode combustion processes in diesel spray flames.

Improving fire season definition by optimized temporal modelling of daily human-caused ignitions.

PubMed

Costafreda-Aumedes, S; Vega-Garcia, C; Comas, C

2018-07-01

Wildfire suppression management is usually based on fast control of all ignitions, especially in highly populated countries with pervasive values-at-risk. To minimize values-at-risk loss by improving response time of suppression resources it is necessary to anticipate ignitions, which are mainly caused by people. Previous studies have found that human-ignition patterns change spatially and temporally depending on socio-economic activities, hence, the deployment of suppression resources along the year should consider these patterns. However, full suppression capacity is operational only within legally established fire seasons, driven by past events and budgets, which limits response capacity and increases damages out of them. The aim of this study was to assess the temporal definition of fire seasons from the perspective of human-ignition patterns for the case study of Spain, where people cause over 95% of fires. Humans engage in activities that use fire as a tool in certain periods within a year, and in locations linked to specific spatial factors. Geographic variables (population, infrastructures, physiography and land uses) were used as explanatory variables for human-ignition patterns. The changing influence of these geographic variables on occurrence along the year was analysed with day-by-day logistic regression models. Daily models were built for all the municipal units in the two climatic regions in Spain (Atlantic and Mediterranean Spain) from 2002 to 2014, and similar models were grouped within continuous periods, designated as ignition-based seasons. We found three ignition-based seasons in the Mediterranean region and five in the Atlantic zones, not coincidental with calendar seasons, but with a high degree of agreement with current legally designated operational fire seasons. Our results suggest that an additional late-winter-early-spring fire season in the Mediterranean area and the extension of this same season in the Atlantic zone should be re-considered for operational purposes in the future. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antenna induced hot restrike of a ceramic metal halide lamp recorded by high-speed photography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermanns, P.; Hoebing, T.; Bergner, A.; Ruhrmann, C.; Awakowicz, P.; Mentel, J.

2016-03-01

The hot restrike is one of the biggest challenges in operating ceramic metal halide lamps with mercury as buffer gas. Compared to a cold lamp, the pressure within a ceramic burner is two orders of magnitude higher during steady state operation due to the high temperature of the ceramic tube and the resulting high mercury vapour pressure. Room temperature conditions are achieved after 300 s of cooling down in a commercial burner, enclosed in an evacuated outer bulb. At the beginning of the cooling down, ignition voltage rises up to more than 14 kV. A significant reduction of the hot-restrike voltage can be achieved by using a so called active antenna. It is realized by a conductive sleeve surrounding the burner at the capillary of the upper electrode. The antenna is connected to the lower electrode of the lamp, so that its potential is extended to the vicinity of the upper electrode. An increased electric field in front of the upper electrode is induced, when an ignition pulse is applied to the lamp electrodes. A symmetrically shaped ignition pulse is applied with an amplitude, which is just sufficient to re-ignite the hot lamp. The re-ignition, 60 s after switching off the lamp, when the mercury pressure starts to be saturated, is recorded for both polarities of the ignition pulse with a high-speed camera, which records four pictures within the symmetrically shaped ignition pulse with exposure times of 100 ns and throws of 100 ns. The pictures show that the high electric field and its temporal variation establish a local dielectric barrier discharge in front of the upper electrode inside the burner, which covers the inner wall of the burner with a surface charge. It forms a starting point of streamers, which may induce the lamp ignition predominantly within the second half cycle of the ignition pulse. It is found out that an active antenna is more effective when the starting point of the surface streamer in front of the sleeve is a negative surface charge on the inner tube wall. The high-speed photos show that the ignition process is very similar in lamps with Hg or Xe as buffer gas.

14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

Experimental Investigation of Piston Heat Transfer in a Light Duty Engine Under Conventional Diesel, Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, and Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion Regimes

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-15

in a Light Duty Engine Under Conventional Diesel, Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition , and Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition ...Conventional Diesel (CDC), Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), and Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) combustion...LTC) regimes, including reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI), partially premixed combustion (PPC), and homogenous charge compression

Flame Dynamics and Chemistry in LRE Combustion Instability

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-22

simulation conditions are as follows: the upper boundary consists of a mixture of DME, oxygen and nitrogen at a fixed temperature of 300 K, while the lower...Fig. 11 a. However, the reduction effect of increased oxygen con- centration on the cool flame extinction temperature is again over- predicted by... temperature chemistry and extends the hysteresis between ignition and Fig. 11. Ignition and extinction temperatures at various strain rates and oxygen

One-dimensional Numerical Model of Transient Discharges in Air of a Spatial Plasma Ignition Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saceleanu, Florin N.

This thesis examines the modes of discharge of a plasma ignition device. Oscilloscope data of the discharge voltage and current are analyzed for various pressures in air at ambient temperature. It is determined that the discharge operates in 2 modes: a glow discharge and a postulated streamer discharge. Subsequently, a 1-dimensional fluid simulation of plasma using the finite volume method (FVM) is developed to gain insight into the particle kinetics. Transient results of the simulation agree with theories of electric discharges; however, quasi-steady state results were not reached due to high diffusion time of ions in air. Next, an ordinary differential equation (ODE) is derived to understand the discharge transition. Simulated results were used to estimate the voltage waveform, which describes the ODE's forcing function; additional simulated results were used to estimate the discharge current and the ODE's non-linearity. It is found that the ODE's non-linearity increases exponentially for capacitive discharges. It is postulated that the non-linearity defines the mode transition observed experimentally. The research is motivated by Spatial Plasma Discharge Ignition (SPDI), an innovative ignition system postulated to increase combustion efficiency in automobile engines for up to 9%. The research thus far can only hypothesize SPDI's benefits on combustion, based on the literature review and the modes of discharge.

Investigating the foil-generated deuteron beam interaction with a DT target in degenerate and classical plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrangiz, M.; Ghasemizad, A.

2017-06-01

Deuteron fast ignition of a conically guided pre-compressed DT fuel is investigated. For this purpose, the acceleration of the deuterated thin foil by the intense laser beam is evaluated. The acceleration values and the number of foil-generated deuterons are calculated in terms of the laser pulse duration. Using the created deuterons as the fast ignitors, we investigate the fast ignition scheme by comparing fully degenerate, partial degenerate and classical types of DT plasma. The total energy gain of deuterons "beam fusion" is calculated to show the efficiency of beam reactions in increasing fusion rate. Besides, the stopping time and stopping range of incident deuterons are evaluated. Our numerical results indicate that degeneracy increases the beam-target collisions. Thus, it prepares the ignition situation sooner than the classical plasma. Moreover, the number of generated deuterons and their acceleration depend on the foil thickness and laser parameters. We show that when a 4ps laser with intensity of 10^{19} W/cm^2 focused onto a 20μm foil, 35× 10^{15} deuterons are generated. Moreover, under our analysis, in order to have a practicable fast ignition, 18% of the laser energy is necessary to convert into a deuteron driver.

Experimental study on ignition mechanisms of wet granulation sulfur caused by friction.

PubMed

Dai, Haoyuan; Fan, Jianchun; Wu, Shengnan; Yu, Yanqiu; Liu, Di; Hu, Zhibin

2018-02-15

It is common to see fire accidents caused by friction during the storage and transportation of wet granulation sulfur. To study the sulfur ignition mechanism under friction conditions, a new rotating test apparatus is developed to reproduce friction scenes at lab scale. A series of experiments are performed under different normal loads. The SEM-EDS and the XRD were utilized to examine the morphologies and compositions of the tested specimens and the friction products. Experimental results show that these two methods are mostly in agreement with each other. The iron-sulfide compounds are produced and the proportion of iron-sulfide compounds is reduced with normal loads increasing, compared to the total number of the friction products. The facts implied by the integration analysis of friction products with the temperature changes of the near friction surface unveil an underlying mechanism that may explain sulfur ignition by friction in real scenarios. The sulfur ignition may be mainly caused by the spontaneous combustion of iron sulfide compounds produced by friction under low normal load with 200N. With the increase of normal loads, the resulting iron-sulfide compounds are decreasing and the high temperature from friction heat begins to play a major role in causing fire. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study of ignition of metal impregnated carbons: the influence of oxygen content in the activated carbon matrix.

PubMed

van der Merwe, M M; Bandosz, T J

2005-02-01

A study of the reason for the early ignition of coconut-based impregnated carbon in comparison with the peat-based impregnated carbon was conducted. The surface features of carbons were evaluated using various physicochemical methods. The metal analysis of the initial carbon indicated that the content of potassium was higher in the coconut-based carbon. The surface functional group analysis revealed the presence of similar surface species; however, the peat-based carbon was more acidic in its chemical nature. Since the oxygen content was higher in the peat-based carbon, the early ignition of the coconut-based material was attributed to its higher affinity to chemisorb oxygen, which leads to exothermic effects. This conclusion was confirmed by performing oxidation of coconut-based carbon prior to impregnation. This process increased the ignition temperature for Cu/Cr impregnated coconut-based material from 186 to 289 degrees C and for the Cu/Zn/Mo impregnated carbon from 235 to 324 degrees C.

Ignition dynamics of a laminar diffusion flame in the field of a vortex embedded in a shear flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macaraeg, Michele G.; Jackson, T. L.; Hussaini, M. Y.

1994-01-01

The role of streamwise-spanwise vorticity interactions that occur in turbulent shear flows on flame/vortex interactions is examined by means of asymptotic analysis and numerical simulation in the limit of small Mach number. An idealized model is employed to describe the interaction process. The model consists of a one-step, irreversible Arrhenius reaction between initially unmixed species occupying adjacent half-planes which are then allowed to mix and react in the presence of a streamwise vortex embedded in a shear flow. It is found that the interaction of the streamwise vortex with shear gives rise to small-scale velocity oscillations which increase in magnitude with shear strength. These oscillations give rise to regions of strong temperature gradients via viscous heating, which can lead to multiple ignition points and substantially decrease ignition times. The evolution in time of the temperature and mass-fraction fields is followed, and emphasis is placed on the ignition time and structure as a function of vortex and shear strength.

Experimental determination of self-heating and self-ignition risks associated with the dusts of agricultural materials commonly stored in silos.

PubMed

Ramírez, Alvaro; García-Torrent, Javier; Tascón, Alberto

2010-03-15

Agricultural products stored in silos, and their dusts, can undergo oxidation and self-heating, increasing the risk of self-ignition and therefore of fires and explosions. The aim of the present work was to determine the thermal susceptibility (as reflected by the Maciejasz index, the temperature of the emission of flammable volatile substances and the combined information provided by the apparent activation energy and the oxidation temperature) of icing sugar, bread-making flour, maize, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and soybean dusts, using experimental methods for the characterisation of different types of coal (no standardised procedure exists for characterising the thermal susceptibility of either coal or agricultural products). In addition, the thermal stability of wheat, i.e., the risk of self-ignition determined as a function of sample volume, ignition temperature and storage time, was determined using the methods outlined in standard EN 15188:2007. The advantages and drawbacks of the different methods used are discussed. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molded composite pyrogen igniter for rocket motors. [solid propellant ignition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heier, W. C.; Lucy, M. H. (Inventor)

1978-01-01

A lightweight pyrogen igniter assembly including an elongated molded plastic tube adapted to contain a pyrogen charge was designed for insertion into a rocket motor casing for ignition of the rocket motor charge. A molded plastic closure cap provided for the elongated tube includes an ignition charge for igniting the pyrogen charge and an electrically actuated ignition squib for igniting the ignition charge. The ignition charge is contained within a portion of the closure cap, and it is retained therein by a noncorrosive ignition pellet retainer or screen which is adapted to rest on a shoulder of the elongated tube when the closure cap and tube are assembled together. A circumferentially disposed metal ring is provided along the external circumference of the closure cap and is molded or captured within the plastic cap in the molding process to provide, along with O-ring seals, a leakproof rotary joint.

The effect of kerosene injection on ignition probability of local ignition in a scramjet combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Heng; Zhou, Jin; Pan, Yu

2017-03-01

The spark ignition of kerosene is investigated in a scramjet combustor with a flight condition of Ma 4, 17 km. Based plentiful of experimental data, the ignition probabilities of the local ignition have been acquired for different injection setups. The ignition probability distributions show that the injection pressure and injection location have a distinct effect on spark ignition. The injection pressure has both upper and lower limit for local ignition. Generally, the larger mass flow rate will reduce the ignition probability. The ignition position also affects the ignition near the lower pressure limit. The reason is supposed to be the cavity swallow effect on upstream jet spray near the leading edge, which will make the cavity fuel rich. The corner recirculation zone near the front wall of the cavity plays a significant role in the stabilization of local flame.

LOX/Methane Main Engine Igniter Tests and Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breisacher, Kevin J.; Ajmani, Kumund

2008-01-01

The LOX/methane propellant combination is being considered for the Lunar Surface Access Module ascent main engine propulsion system. The proposed switch from the hypergolic propellants used in the Apollo lunar ascent engine to LOX/methane propellants requires the development of igniters capable of highly reliable performance in a lunar surface environment. An ignition test program was conducted that used an in-house designed LOX/methane spark torch igniter. The testing occurred in Cell 21 of the Research Combustion Laboratory to utilize its altitude capability to simulate a space vacuum environment. Approximately 750 ignition test were performed to evaluate the effects of methane purity, igniter body temperature, spark energy level and frequency, mixture ratio, flowrate, and igniter geometry on the ability to obtain successful ignitions. Ignitions were obtained down to an igniter body temperature of approximately 260 R with a 10 torr back-pressure. The data obtained is also being used to anchor a CFD based igniter model.

A polar-drive shock-ignition design for the National Ignition Facilitya)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, K. S.; Betti, R.; McKenty, P. W.; Collins, T. J. B.; Hohenberger, M.; Theobald, W.; Craxton, R. S.; Delettrez, J. A.; Lafon, M.; Marozas, J. A.; Nora, R.; Skupsky, S.; Shvydky, A.

2013-05-01

Shock ignition [R. Betti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 155001 (2007)] is being pursued as a viable option to achieve ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Shock-ignition target designs use a high-intensity laser spike at the end of a low-adiabat assembly pulse to launch a spherically convergent strong shock to ignite the hot spot of an imploding capsule. A shock-ignition target design for the NIF is presented. One-dimensional simulations indicate an ignition threshold factor of 4.1 with a gain of 58. A polar-drive beam-pointing configuration for shock-ignition experiments on the NIF at 750 kJ is proposed. The capsule design is shown to be robust to the various one- and two-dimensional effects and nonuniformities anticipated on the NIF. The target is predicted to ignite with a gain of 38 when including all anticipated levels of nonuniformity and system uncertainty.

Mechanism of unconfined dust explosions: Turbulent clustering and radiation-induced ignition.

PubMed

Liberman, Michael; Kleeorin, Nathan; Rogachevskii, Igor; Haugen, Nils Erland L

2017-05-01

It is known that unconfined dust explosions typically start off with a relatively weak primary flame followed by a severe secondary explosion. We show that clustering of dust particles in a temperature stratified turbulent flow ahead of the primary flame may give rise to a significant increase in the radiation penetration length. These particle clusters, even far ahead of the flame, are sufficiently exposed and heated by the radiation from the flame to become ignition kernels capable to ignite a large volume of fuel-air mixtures. This efficiently increases the total flame surface area and the effective combustion speed, defined as the rate of reactant consumption of a given volume. We show that this mechanism explains the high rate of combustion and overpressures required to account for the observed level of damage in unconfined dust explosions, e.g., at the 2005 Buncefield vapor-cloud explosion. The effect of the strong increase of radiation transparency due to turbulent clustering of particles goes beyond the state of the art of the application to dust explosions and has many implications in atmospheric physics and astrophysics.

14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 23.1165 - Engine ignition systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Controls and Accessories § 23.1165 Engine ignition systems. (a) Each battery ignition system must be... ignition. (e) Each turbine engine ignition system must be independent of any electrical circuit that is not... commuter category airplanes, each turbine engine ignition system must be an essential electrical load. [Doc...

14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

14 CFR 23.1165 - Engine ignition systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Controls and Accessories § 23.1165 Engine ignition systems. Link to an amendment published at 76 FR 75759... discharge of any battery used for engine ignition. (e) Each turbine engine ignition system must be... ignition systems. (f) In addition, for commuter category airplanes, each turbine engine ignition system...

14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

Non-diffusive ignition of a gaseous reactive mixture following time-resolved, spatially distributed energy deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kassoy, D. R.

2014-01-01

Systematic asymptotic methods are applied to the compressible conservation and state equations for a reactive gas, including transport terms, to develop a rational thermomechanical formulation for the ignition of a chemical reaction following time-resolved, spatially distributed thermal energy addition from an external source into a finite volume of gas. A multi-parameter asymptotic analysis is developed for a wide range of energy deposition levels relative to the initial internal energy in the volume when the heating timescale is short compared to the characteristic acoustic timescale of the volume. Below a quantitatively defined threshold for energy addition, a nearly constant volume heating process occurs, with a small but finite internal gas expansion Mach number. Very little added thermal energy is converted to kinetic energy. The gas expelled from the boundary of the hot, high-pressure spot is the source of mechanical disturbances (acoustic and shock waves) that propagate away into the neighbouring unheated gas. When the energy addition reaches the threshold value, the heating process is fully compressible with a substantial internal gas expansion Mach number, the source of blast waves propagating into the unheated environmental gas. This case corresponds to an extremely large non-dimensional hot-spot temperature and pressure. If the former is sufficiently large, a high activation energy chemical reaction is initiated on the short heating timescale. This phenomenon is in contrast to that for more modest levels of energy addition, where a thermal explosion occurs only after the familiar extended ignition delay period for a classical high activation reaction. Transport effects, modulated by an asymptotically small Knudsen number, are shown to be negligible unless a local gradient in temperature, concentration or velocity is exceptionally large.

Experimental investigation of gasoline compression ignition combustion in a light-duty diesel engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loeper, C. Paul

Due to increased ignition delay and volatility, low temperature combustion (LTC) research utilizing gasoline fuel has experienced recent interest [1-3]. These characteristics improve air-fuel mixing prior to ignition allowing for reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot (or particulate matter, PM). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Engine Research Center (Ra et al. [4, 5]) have validated these attributes and established baseline operating parameters for a gasoline compression ignition (GCI) concept in a light-duty diesel engine over a large load range (3-16 bar net IMEP). In addition to validating these computational results, subsequent experiments at the Engine Research Center utilizing a single cylinder research engine based on a GM 1.9-liter diesel engine have progressed fundamental understanding of gasoline autoignition processes, and established the capability of critical controlling input parameters to better control GCI operation. The focus of this thesis can be divided into three segments: 1) establishment of operating requirements in the low-load operating limit, including operation sensitivities with respect to inlet temperature, and the capabilities of injection strategy to minimize NOx emissions while maintaining good cycle-to-cycle combustion stability; 2) development of novel three-injection strategies to extend the high load limit; and 3) having developed fundamental understanding of gasoline autoignition kinetics, and how changes in physical processes (e.g. engine speed effects, inlet pressure variation, and air-fuel mixture processes) affects operation, develop operating strategies to maintain robust engine operation. Collectively, experimental results have demonstrated the ability of GCI strategies to operate over a large load-speed range (3 bar to 17.8 bar net IMEP and 1300-2500 RPM, respectively) with low emissions (NOx and PM less than 1 g/kg-FI and 0.2 g/kg-FI, respectively), and low fuel consumption (gross indicated fuel consumption <200 g/kWh). [1] Dec, J. E., Yang, Y., and Dronniou, N., 2011, "Boosted HCCI - Controlling Pressure- Rise Rates for Performance Improvements using Partial Fuel Stratification with Conventional Gasoline," SAE Int. J. Engines, 4(1), pp. 1169-1189. [2] Kalghatgi, G., Hildingsson, L., and Johansson, B., 2010, "Low NO(x) and Low Smoke Operation of a Diesel Engine Using Gasolinelike Fuels," Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power-Transactions of the Asme, 132(9), p. 9. [3] Manente, V., Zander, C.-G., Johansson, B., Tunestal, P., and Cannella, W., 2010, "An Advanced Internal Combustion Engine Concept for Low Emissions and High Efficiency from Idle to Max Load Using Gasoline Partially Premixed Combustion," SAE International, 2010-01-2198. [4] Ra, Y., Loeper, P., Reitz, R., Andrie, M., Krieger, R., Foster, D., Durrett, R., Gopalakrishnan, V., Plazas, A., Peterson, R., and Szymkowicz, P., 2011, "Study of High Speed Gasoline Direct Injection Compression Ignition (GDICI) Engine Operation in the LTC Regime," SAE Int. J. Engines, 4(1), pp. 1412-1430. [5] Ra, Y., Loeper, P., Andrie, M., Krieger, R., Foster, D., Reitz, R., and Durrett, R., 2012, "Gasoline DICI Engine Operation in the LTC Regime Using Triple- Pulse Injection," SAE Int. J. Engines, 5(3), pp. 1109-1132.

40 CFR 265.17 - General requirements for ignitable, reactive, or incompatible wastes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to prevent accidental ignition or reaction of ignitable or reactive waste. This waste must be separated and protected from sources of ignition or reaction including but not limited to: Open flames...), spontaneous ignition (e.g., from heat-producing chemical reactions), and radiant heat. While ignitable or...

40 CFR 265.17 - General requirements for ignitable, reactive, or incompatible wastes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... to prevent accidental ignition or reaction of ignitable or reactive waste. This waste must be separated and protected from sources of ignition or reaction including but not limited to: Open flames...), spontaneous ignition (e.g., from heat-producing chemical reactions), and radiant heat. While ignitable or...

Guide for Oxygen Hazards Analyses on Components and Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoltzfus, Joel M.; Dees, Jesse; Poe, Robert F.

1996-01-01

Because most materials, including metals, will burn in an oxygen-enriched environment, hazards are always present when using oxygen. Most materials will ignite at lower temperatures in an oxygen-enriched environment than in air, and once ignited, combustion rates are greater in the oxygen-enriched environment. Many metals burn violently in an oxygen-enriched environment when ignited. Lubricants, tapes, gaskets, fuels, and solvents can increase the possibility of ignition in oxygen systems. However, these hazards do not preclude the use of oxygen. Oxygen may be safely used if all the materials in a system are not flammable in the end-use environment or if ignition sources are identified and controlled. These ignition and combustion hazards necessitate a proper oxygen hazards analysis before introducing a material or component into oxygen service. The objective of this test plan is to describe the White Sands Test Facility oxygen hazards analysis to be performed on components and systems before oxygen is introduced and is recommended before implementing the oxygen component qualification procedure. The plan describes the NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility method consistent with the ASTM documents for analyzing the hazards of components and systems exposed to an oxygen-enriched environment. The oxygen hazards analysis is a useful tool for oxygen-system designers, system engineers, and facility managers. Problem areas can be pinpointed before oxygen is introduced into the system, preventing damage to hardware and possible injury or loss of life.

Analysis of the laser ignition of methane/oxygen mixtures in a sub-scale rocket combustion chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohlhüter, Michael; Zhukov, Victor P.; Sender, Joachim; Schlechtriem, Stefan

2017-06-01

The laser ignition of methane/oxygen mixtures in a sub-scale rocket combustion chamber has been investigated numerically and experimentally. The ignition test case used in the present paper was generated during the In-Space Propulsion project (ISP-1), a project focused on the operation of propulsion systems in space, the handling of long idle periods between operations, and multiple reignitions under space conditions. Regarding the definition of the numerical simulation and the suitable domain for the current model, 2D and 3D simulations have been performed. Analysis shows that the usage of a 2D geometry is not suitable for this type of simulation, as the reduction of the geometry to a 2D domain significantly changes the conditions at the time of ignition and subsequently the flame development. The comparison of the numerical and experimental results shows a strong discrepancy in the pressure evolution and the combustion chamber pressure peak following the laser spark. The detailed analysis of the optical Schlieren and OH data leads to the conclusion that the pressure measurement system was not able to capture the strong pressure increase and the peak value in the combustion chamber during ignition. Although the timing in flame development following the laser spark is not captured appropriately, the 3D simulations reproduce the general ignition phenomena observed in the optical measurement systems, such as pressure evolution and injector flow characteristics.

Thermal Ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boettcher, Philipp Andreas

Accidental ignition of flammable gases is a critical safety concern in many industrial applications. Particularly in the aviation industry, the main areas of concern on an aircraft are the fuel tank and adjoining regions, where spilled fuel has a high likelihood of creating a flammable mixture. To this end, a fundamental understanding of the ignition phenomenon is necessary in order to develop more accurate test methods and standards as a means of designing safer air vehicles. The focus of this work is thermal ignition, particularly auto-ignition with emphasis on the effect of heating rate, hot surface ignition and flame propagation, and puffing flames. Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels is traditionally separated into slow reaction, cool flame, and ignition regimes based on pressure and temperature. Standard tests, such as the ASTM E659, are used to determine the lowest temperature required to ignite a specific fuel mixed with air at atmospheric pressure. It is expected that the initial pressure and the rate at which the mixture is heated also influences the limiting temperature and the type of combustion. This study investigates the effect of heating rate, between 4 and 15 K/min, and initial pressure, in the range of 25 to 100 kPa, on ignition of n-hexane air mixtures. Mixtures with equivalence ratio ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 were investigated. The problem is also modeled computationally using an extension of Semenov's classical auto-ignition theory with a detailed chemical mechanism. Experiments and simulations both show that in the same reactor either a slow reaction or an ignition event can take place depending on the heating rate. Analysis of the detailed chemistry demonstrates that a mixture which approaches the ignition region slowly undergoes a significant modification of its composition. This change in composition induces a progressive shift of the explosion limit until the mixture is no longer flammable. A mixture that approaches the ignition region sufficiently rapidly undergoes only a moderate amount of thermal decomposition and explodes quite violently. This behavior can also be captured and analyzed using a one-step reaction model, where the heat release is in competition with the depletion of reactants. Hot surface ignition is examined using a glow plug or heated nickel element in a series of premixed n-hexane air mixtures. High-speed schlieren photography, a thermocouple, and a fast response pressure transducer are used to record flame characteristics such as ignition temperature, flame speed, pressure rises, and combustion mode. The ignition event is captured by considering the dominant balance of diffusion and chemical reaction that occurs near a hot surface. Experiments and models show a dependence of ignition temperature on mixture composition, initial pressure, and hot surface size. The mixtures exhibit the known lower flammability limit where the maximum temperature of the hot surface was insufficient at igniting the mixture. Away from the lower flammability limit, the ignition temperature drops to an almost constant value over a wide range of equivalence ratios (0.7 to 2.8) with large variations as the upper flammability limit is approached. Variations in the initial pressure and equivalence ratio also give rise to different modes of combustion: single flame, re-ignition, and puffing flames. These results are successfully compared to computational results obtained using a flamelet model and a detailed chemical mechanism for n-heptane. These different regimes can be delineated by considering the competition between inertia, i.e., flame propagation, and buoyancy, which can be expressed in the Richardson number. In experiments of hot surface ignition and subsequent flame propagation a 10 Hz puffing flame instability is visible in mixtures that are stagnant and premixed prior to the ignition sequence. By varying the size of the hot surface, power input, and combustion vessel volume, we determined that the instability is a function of the interaction of the flame with the fluid flow induced by the combustion products rather than the initial plume established by the hot surface. The phenomenon is accurately reproduced in numerical simulations and a detailed flow field analysis revealed a competition between the inflow velocity at the base of the flame and the flame propagation speed. The increasing inflow velocity, which exceeds the flame propagation speed, is ultimately responsible for creating a puff. The puff is then accelerated upward, allowing for the creation of the subsequent instabilities. The frequency of the puffing is proportional to the gravitational acceleration and inversely proportional to the flame speed. We propose a relation describing the dependence of the frequency on gravitational acceleration, hot surface diameter, and flame speed. This relation shows good agreement for lean and rich n-hexane-air as well as lean hydrogen-air flames.

Ignitability test method and apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Bailey, James W. (Inventor); Schimmel, Morry L. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

An apparatus for testing ignitability of an initiator includes a body having a central cavity, an initiator holder for holding the initiator over the central cavity of the body, an ignition material holder disposed in the central cavity of the body and having a cavity facing the initiator holder which receives a measured quantity of ignition material to be ignited by the initiator. It contains a chamber in communication with the cavity of the ignition material and the central cavity of the body, and a measuring system for analyzing pressure characteristics generated by ignition of the ignition material by the initiator. The measuring system includes at least one transducer coupled with an oscillograph for recording pressure traces generated by ignition.

An Exploratory Investigation of the Influence of Igniter Chemistry on Ignition in Porous Bed Gun Propellants

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

nitrocellulose igniter materials using the Ignition Energetics Characterization Device (IECD). The results presented herein represent Phase II eperimental ...auxiliary test cham- bcz is a combustion gas diagnostic section designed to permit determination of the composition and enthalpy level of the gases...removal/assembly and propellant loading. 2.2 Igniter Characteristics 2.2.1 Baseline Igniter The igniter system, Figure 2.3, is designed to provide overall

Simultaneous dual mode combustion engine operating on spark ignition and homogenous charge compression ignition

DOEpatents

Fiveland, Scott B.; Wiggers, Timothy E.

2004-06-22

An engine particularly suited to single speed operation environments, such as stationary power generators. The engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders operable under homogenous charge compression ignition, and at least one combustion cylinder operable on spark ignition concepts. The cylinder operable on spark ignition concepts can be convertible to operate under homogenous charge compression ignition. The engine is started using the cylinders operable under spark ignition concepts.

Manufacturing of Igniters for NHB 8060.1 Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, James

1996-01-01

The purpose of this WJI is to incorporate a standard procedure to prepare, certify, and ship standard NHB 8060.1B and NHB 8060.1C igniters for flammability testing and to update LJI-320-35-18. The operations are divided into five parts as follows: A. Preparing the igniter mix; B. Extruding the igniters; C. Curing, cutting, and weighing the igniters; D. Certifying the igniters and E. Packaging, storing, and shipping the igniters

A sustained-arc ignition system for internal combustion engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birchenough, A. G.

1977-01-01

A sustained-arc ignition system was developed for internal combustion engines. It produces a very-long-duration ignition pulse with an energy in the order of 100 millijoules. The ignition pulse waveform can be controlled to predetermined actual ignition requirements. The design of the sustained-arc ignition system is presented in the report.

Burning of CP Titanium (Grade 2) in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoltzfus, Joel M.; Jeffers, Nathan; Gallus, Timothy D.

2012-01-01

The flammability in oxygen-enriched atmospheres of commercially pure (CP) titanium rods as a function of diameter and test gas pressure was determined. Test samples of varying diameters were ignited at the bottom and burned upward in 70% O2/balance N2 and in 99.5+% O2 at various pressures. The burning rate of each ignited sample was determined by observing the apparent regression rate of the melting interface (RRMI) of the burning samples. The burning rate or RRMI increased with decreasing test sample diameter and with increasing test gas pressure and oxygen concentration

Advanced Crew Escape Suits (ACES): Particle Impact Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosales, Keisa R.; Stoltzfus, Joel M.

2009-01-01

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) requested NASA JSC White Sands Test Facility to assist in determining the effects of impaired anodization on aluminum parts in advanced crew escape suits (ACES). Initial investigation indicated poor anodization could lead to an increased risk of particle impact ignition, and a lack of data was prevalent for particle impact of bare (unanodized) aluminum; therefore, particle impact tests were performed. A total of 179 subsonic and 60 supersonic tests were performed with no ignition of the aluminum targets. Based on the resulting test data, WSTF found no increased particle impact hazard was present in the ACES equipment.

Transport Simulations for Fast Ignition on NIF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Strozzi, D J; Tabak, M; Grote, D P

2009-10-26

We are designing a full hydro-scale cone-guided, indirect-drive FI coupling experiment, for NIF, with the ARC-FIDO short-pulse laser. Current rad-hydro designs with limited fuel jetting into cone tip are not yet adequate for ignition. Designs are improving. Electron beam transport simulations (implicit-PIC LSP) show: (1) Magnetic fields and smaller angular spreads increase coupling to ignition-relevant 'hot spot' (20 um radius); (2) Plastic CD (for a warm target) produces somewhat better coupling than pure D (cryogenic target) due to enhanced resistive B fields; and (3) The optimal T{sub hot} for this target is {approx} 1 MeV; coupling falls by 3x asmore » T{sub hot} rises to 4 MeV.« less

Determination of the natural convection coefficient in low-gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldmeer, J.; Motevalli, V.; Haghdoust, M.; Jumper, G.

1992-01-01

Fire safety is an important issue in the current space program; ignition in low-g needs to be studied. The reduction in the gravitational acceleration causes changes in the ignition process. This paper examines the effect of gravity on natural convection, which is one of the important parameters in the ignition process. The NASA-Lewis 2.2 Second Drop Tower provided the low-gravity environment for the experiments. A series of experiments was conducted to measure the temperature of a small copper plate which was heated by a high intensity lamp. These experiments verified that in low-gravity the plate temperature increased faster than in the corresponding 1-g cases, and that the natural convection coefficient rapidly decreased in the low-gravity environment.