Plasma-augmented combustion behaviour in methanol

Abstract

High-current discharge is studied between two electrodes where the filling medium is a mixture of methanol and air. Combustion is ignited by a 52 kJ discharge between two T-shaped electrodes. The combustion device consists of a 52 kJ capacitor bank, a discharge and combustion chamber and diagnostic systems. Current disruption has been observed at the moment of a change between the capacitive and inductive discharges. This has been referred to plasma expansion and termination when there is no voltage between the electrodes. The disruption time increases with an increase in the charging voltage. The kinetic pressure of combustion has shown three different behaviours. The first type is similar to partial fuel normal combustion. The second type is complete normal combustion. The third type is fast plasma combustion which results when an exponential pressure decay due to the heat transport process, very low heat losses and the short rise time of the kinetic pressure is obtained.