Effects of environmental temperature on the spectral characteristics of RGA plasma-assisted combustion actuator for aero-engines

Abstract

Using rotating gliding arc (RGA) discharge, a plasma-assisted combustion actuator was designed and used in aero-engines. To study the spectral characteristics of the actuator at the changed environmental temperature, an experimental system for the spectral characteristics of the RGA plasma-assisted combustion actuator was established. The optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of the actuator discharge was measured with an emission spectrometer. It was discovered to primarily include the emission spectroscopy of N2∗ (C3Πu→ B3Πg), N+, N, and O atom. As the environmental temperature increased, OES of N2∗ (C3Πu→ B3Πg) has a fluctuating change rising of first at less than 313K, then falling between 313 K and 353 K, and rising again between 353 K and 373 K. Simultaneously, the emission intensity of N+, N, and O atoms decreased. In addition, the vibrational temperature was calculated by the second positive system (SPS) N2∗ (C3Πu→ B3Πg) and Boltzmann plots. The vibrational temperature decreased by 363–492 K with the increase in environmental temperature. These results are valuable for understanding RGA’s application in aero-engines.