Effect of Impurities Argon and Moisture Additives on Laser Ignition of n-Decane/Air Mixtures

ABSTRACT

Ignition using laser breakdown of n-decane/air mixtures was investigated to highlight the influence of argon, moisture, concentration, and focal length on laser ignition probabilities. The effect of fuel impurities on minimum ignition energy (MIE) was also investigated. Characterization was performed using a Q-switched Nd-YAG laser (1064 nm) with a cylindrical vessel at a fixed temperature of 347 K and atmospheric pressure. The ignition probabilities obtained depended on the concentration of argon and water present in the combustion mixture. Results showed that Ar and H₂O play a significant role in the breakdown process inducing ignition. MIE was determined for pure n-decane 99% and compared with the results of an impure n-decane 94% tested in a previous study. Finally, ignition delay time measured by recording photodiode signals and spectroscopic analysis was used to characterize ignition of the studied reactive mixtures as a function of different equivalence ratios.

KEYWORDS:

• Breakdown
• Ignition delay
• Impurity
• Laser
• Minimum ignition energy (MIE)
• Moisture and argon effect
• n-Decane
• Probabilities
• Spectroscopy

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial contribution of Région Centre Val de Loire, the Labex Caprysses of Orleans University and French CNRS.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial contribution of Région Centre Val de Loire, the Labex Caprysses of Orleans University and French CNRS.