Work

Experimental study of nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge for plasma-assisted ammonia combustion: Effects of pulse number and pulse interval

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Plasma-Assisted Ammonia Combustion (PAAC) addresses several challenges of using Ammonia (NH 3 ) as a carbon-free fuel. Nanosecond Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (nSDBD) is an effective strategy with improved ignition and combustion efficiencies for PAAC. The effectiveness of nSDBD depends on both discharge device and parameters. However, there is a lack of experimental investigations into discharge parameters of PAAC ignited by nSDBD. This research experimentally examined two significant discharge parameters: pulse number (PN) and pulse interval (PI). Stoichiometric NH 3 /air mixture was placed into a Constant Volume Chamber (CVC) at the initial pressure of 1 bar and the initial temperature of 90 ∘ C. Nanosecond pulses at the voltage of 15 kV were generated by a self-designed power source and applied to an nSDBD device. The results show that increasing PN enhances ignition success, flame kernel growth, and combustion performance, up to an optimal point at PN = 180. Shorter PI improves the supplied energy to the nSDBD per pulse, accelerating flame kernel expansion and ignition. However, excessively short PI (e.g., 50 μ s ) leads to gas disturbances and potential radical quenching, while intermediate PI (e.g., 80 μ s ) introduces anisotropic spatial distribution and poor combustion repeatability. The optimal discharge setting was found to be PN = 180 and PI = 60 μ s at the initial pressure of 1.0 bar and the initial temperature of 90 ∘ C , achieving the fastest combustion and highest heat release. This study fills the current experimental gap and provides practical guidelines for the design of efficient PAAC systems.

Source: Fuel

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.137271

Authors: Deyan Kong, Yong Xiong, Michael Pekris, Yong Cheng, Qingwu Zhao, Guohong Tian

Institutions: University of Surrey, Shandong University

Language: English

Topic: Plasma Applications and Diagnostics

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,330