Stabilization of a lean premixed flame using non-thermal plasma

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the stabilization of a lean premixed methane/air flame. The equivalence ratio of the methane/air mixture for the lean blowout limit (ϕCH4≈0.81) decreases to 0.79 when the fuel is strongly exposed to NTP. Both the flame temperature and the luminescence intensity of C2, CH, and OH radicals increase with increasing applied voltage, resulting in an increase in flame intensity. This allows the lean blowout limit of the methane/air mixture to be extended.