Flame Propagation Enhancement by Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Generated Intermediate Species

The interaction between nonthermal plasma (NTP) and fuel-air mixtures was studied both experimentally and by means of simulations, to elucidate their promotional effect on flame propagation. A promotional effect on flame propagation velocity was experimentally observed by generating a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), prior to spark plug ignition of an n-heptane mixture in a high-pressure and -temperature environment, using a rapid compression and expansion machine (RCEM). A novel method of concentration calibration for mass-spectral analysis was conducted, to determine the intermediate species in the fuel-air mixtures passing through the DBD plasma. The effect of the intermediate chemical species on flame propagation was examined numerically using the PREMIX code, with the observed species being considered as initial additives in the calculations. The promotional effect was reproduced numerically with the addition of alkyl hydroperoxide to an n-heptane/air mixture; and the higher the temperature and leaner the mixture in the parameter region, the more pronounced was the effect. The promotional behavior was examined using reaction path analysis, on the basis of which enhanced low-temperature oxidation reactions, due to the dissociation of the alkyl hydroperoxide, were determined in pre-flame region.