MRI: Development of a Non-Equilibrium Plasma Coupled Rapid Compression Machine

下一代高效、低排放发动机的开发需要将压力和温度操作范围扩展到当前极限之外。等离子体辅助燃烧（PAC）是一种新型的燃烧技术，它在提高基本燃烧过程中发挥着重要作用。然而，确切的化学增强机制的细节在很大程度上仍然未知。该项目的主要目标是设计、制造和组装一个独特的等离子体耦合实验装置，以便在发动机相关条件下对PAC进行科学研究。此外，增材制造技术将被用来制造复杂几何形状的定制金属部件，这是传统减材方法无法实现的。该项目还将包括教育和劳动力发展活动，以培养具有跨学科技术技能的新一代工程师和科学家。这些努力将最终降低燃料消耗，确保能源安全，减轻下一代发动机对环境的影响，并将美国定位为交通/能源应用创新技术开发的领导者。该MRI计划将允许多学科研究人员小组开发独特的等离子体耦合快速压缩（PRCM），其能够在非平衡等离子体的作用下压缩气体燃料和氧化剂混合物以引发燃烧。利用增材制造的优势，该设备的模块化将允许进行各种不同的诊断测量，以准确观察等离子体的形成，并最终解释有和没有等离子体影响的自燃化学和物理化学相互作用。该设备还提供了明确的边界条件，以补充实验研究与数值建模方法。基于该仪器，该项目旨在阐明以下科学调查：a）了解低温燃烧的动力学氧化方案B）了解衍生自藻类和非食物来源陆地生物质的新一代生物燃料的燃烧特性; c）理解等离子体化学效应对燃料的冷焰化学的动力学氧化方案的作用;以及d）展示PAC作为实现高级压缩点火策略的手段。从该装置获得的实验数据将用于开发和验证准确的等离子体特定和低温化学动力学模型，用于预测模拟工具，该项目由CBET-MRI计划和刺激竞争研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）共同资助该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Development of next generation high-efficiency, low-emission engines require extending the pressure and temperature operation ranges beyond current limits. A novel approach known as the plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) has recently demonstrated considerable promise, which can play an important role in enhancing the basic combustion process. However, the details of exact chemical enhancement mechanisms remain largely unknown. The main goal of this project is to design, fabricate and assemble a unique plasma coupled experimental apparatus that will enable the scientific investigation of PAC at engine relevant conditions. Additionally, additive manufacturing techniques will be leveraged to fabricate customized metallic components of complex geometries not possible with traditional subtractive methods. This project will also include educational and workforce development activities to train a new generation of engineers and scientists with the interdisciplinary technical skills. These efforts will ultimately reduce fuel consumption, ensure energy security, mitigate the environmental impact of next generation engines, and position the US as a leader in the development of innovative technologies for transportation/energy applications.This MRI program will allow a multi-disciplinary group of researchers to develop a unique plasma coupled rapid compression (PRCM), that is capable of compressing a gaseous fuel and oxidizer mixture to instigate combustion while under the effects of a non-equilibrium plasma. Taking advantage of additive manufacturing, the modularity of this device will allow a variety of different diagnostic measurements to be performed in order to accurately observe plasma formation, and ultimately interpret auto-ignition chemistry and physical-chemical interactions with and without the influence of a plasma. The device also provides well-defined boundary conditions to compliment experimental studies with numerical modelling approaches. Based on this instrument, the project aims to elucidate the following scientific investigations: a) understand the kinetic oxidation scheme of low-temperature combustion (cool flame chemistry) of hydrocarbon fuels, practical fuels, and surrogate fuels; b) understand the combustion characteristics of new generation biofuels derived from algae and non-food source terrestrial biomass; c) understand the role of plasma chemical effects on the kinetic oxidation scheme of cool flame chemistry of fuels; and d) demonstrate PAC as a means to enable advanced compression ignition strategies. Experimental data derived from this device will be used to develop and validate accurate plasma-specific and low-temperature chemical kinetic models for use in predictive simulations tools, thus enabling the design of future engines and improved combustion systems.This project is jointly funded by CBET-MRI Program and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.