Plasma-induced ignition and plasma-assisted combustion in high-speed flow**This paper was presented at the Second International Symposium on Nonequilibrium Processes, Combustion, and Atmospheric Phenomena (Dagomys, Sochi, Russia, 3–7 October 2005).

Abstract

The suitability of the electrical discharge technique for application in plasma-induced ignition and plasma-assisted combustion in high-speed flow is reviewed. Nonequilibrium, unsteady and nonuniform modes are under analysis to demonstrate the advantage of such a technique over heating. A reduction in the required power deposition is possible due to unsteady operation and non-homogeneous spatial distribution. Mixing intensification in non-premixed flow could be achieved by nonuniform electrical discharges. The scheme of fuel ignition behind the wallstep and in the cavity is under consideration. Experimental results on multi-electrode discharge maintenance in the separation zone of supersonic flow are presented. The model test on hydrogen and ethylene ignition is demonstrated at direct fuel injection. An energetic threshold of fuel ignition under separation and in the shear layer is measured under the experimental conditions.