Experimental assessment of spark and corona igniters energy release. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Discepoli, G.; Cruccolini, V.; Re, M. Dal; Zembi, J.; Battistoni, M.; Mariani, F.; Grimaldi, C.N.
• Is Part Of: Energy procedia. Volume 148(2018)
• Page Start: 1262
• Page End: 1269
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Energy -- Corona effect -- Igniter -- Lean combustion -- Experimental; Power resources -- Congresses; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power resources; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2018.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1876-6102

Abstract

Abstract: The Radio-Frequency (RF) Corona Ignition System is an innovative and promising technology able to produce multiple streamers to ignite the fuel throughout the combustion chamber. This system, compared to a conventional spark ignition system, involves wider initial combustion volumes and allows the engine to operate in stable conditions at leaner mixtures, higher EGR dilutions, with faster burning rates and enabling advanced combustion strategies. Due to the intrinsic operating features of the RF corona ignition system, the production of a plasma generated by a high frequency electrical field, the energy released to the surrounding medium is a fundamental parameter to understand its behaviour and impact on a given air-fuel mixture. The aim of this paper is the energetic characterization of a prototype of corona igniter, called Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS), by measuring the pressure increase caused by the streamers in a controlled environment, a pressure based calorimeter. The ACIS results are also compared with a multiple spark discharges (MSD) ignition system based on standard Federal Mogul spark plug technology characterized by an integrated electronics capable of managing up to 17 consecutive discharges. The energy evaluation was carried out at room temperature with air at different pressure levels, up to 10 bar.