Experiments and modeling of forced ignition in methane/air mixtures with added NO

Ignition of fuel/oxidizer mixtures containing combustion products is important to the operation of ad-vanced combustors. Previous work indicates that the presence of NO can reduce ignition delay times, yet the influence of NO on forced ignition is not clear. This work examines ignition kernels generated by spark discharges in CH4/air flows diluted with a mixture of NO and N2. Differences in chemistry initiated by the presence of NO are examined by comparing mixtures diluted with only N2 to mixtures diluted with both NO and N2. Ignition probability and kernel growth rates are determined using measurements of infrared radiation emissions from the developing ignition kernels. The presence of NO in the unburned mixture does not affect ignition probability. However, the addition of small quantities of NO on the order of 30 0-120 0 parts per million increases the size of ignition kernels relative to those generated in mix-tures diluted with pure N2 by up to 20%. Numerical modeling is performed to examine the role of low temperature chemistry on ignition behavior. The sensitivity of ignition kernel growth to the presence of NO is attributed to increased CH4 oxidation rates caused by low-temperature chemistry activated in the early stages of kernel development. (c) 2023 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Ignition of fuel/oxidizer mixtures is essential for advanced combustor operation. The presence of NO can decrease ignition delay times, but its influence on forced ignition is unclear. This study investigates ignition kernels generated by spark discharges in CH4/air flows diluted with NO and N2. It is found that the presence of NO increases the size of ignition kernels compared to mixtures diluted with N2. Numerical modeling reveals that low-temperature chemistry plays a role in this sensitivity. (c) 2023 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.