Abstract
The effects of transient plasma discharge on the autoignition characteristics of dimethyl ether and propane mixtures with oxygen and argon were investigated computationally in a zero-dimensional constant pressure environment. A simple model of hydrocarbon decomposition by electron collisions was superimposed on detailed chemical kinetic models that describe the low temperature oxidation of dimethyl ether and propane. The results suggest that the effectiveness of plasma discharges in promoting autoignition is very high at low temperatures. However, in the negative temperature coefficient region, the plasma discharge was determined to be less effective in promoting autoignition, as a result of complexity of the neutral state chemistry. The degree of effectiveness was quantified and was determined to differ significantly for different mixtures. An explanation for these differences is presented based on what is currently known about low temperature hydrocarbon kinetics.
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