Transient plasma physics and applications

The focus of this dissertation is to investigate the physics and technology of transient plasma discharges, wherein the generation of nanosecond pulsed electrical discharges ignite quiescent and flowing fuel/air mixtures. The purpose is to develop a fundamental understanding of the combustion initiated by the transient plasmas and the gas discharge physics (streamer structures and their evolution), and apply the physics to the improvement of ignition in various engine systems. In this study, significant improvements, by factors as great as 10 times, were achieved in the delay to ignition of pulse detonation engines. These improvements lead to the solution of a major problem in the development of the engines. In this work, we endeavor to understand the dynamics of chemistry occurring in engine ignition, related pulsed power, and characteristics of transient plasma generation and evolution. This study included the design and construction of transient plasma generation system based on pulsed power science, measurement of ignition delay for quiescence combustion chamber and air/fuel mixture with various flow rate from 25 to 300 g/s, measurement of OH* emission during transient plasma ignition process, and sub-nanosecond imaging of transient plasma generation and evolution. Knowledge obtained through this comprehensive study is applied to deflagration initiation and the enhancement of deflagration to detonation transitions in pulsed detonation engines, and for improved ignition for applications of these engines.