Plasma and Photoionization Approaches for Combustion Initiation [revised 6/23/2004]

The proposed effort will develop and test a prototype plasma-enhanced ignition module for gas turbine engines in a full-scale gas-turbine combustor. Fundamental studies of the non-thermal ignition phenomenon discovered in Phase I will be employed to optimize its properties for gas turbine combustor ignition. The specific requirements for the plasma stabilization include static pressure from 0.3 to 1 atm, static temperature from -65 F to 100 F, and flow velocities from 10 to 150 ft/s. These studies will include the development and application of advanced optical diagnostics, such as two photon laser induced fluorescence and tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, to quantify the production of radicals and combustion products in the plasma region. These studies are fashioned towards understanding the enhanced ignition mechanisms and flame-holding properties of these energetic flows. Scaling laws incorporating input power parameters, temperatures, pressures, and mass flow will be developed and applied to the design and fabrication of the prototype ignition module. Testing of the prototype using GE combustor components is planned. GE will continue to support the program at no cost.