• April 10, 2017
  • 4:00 p.m.
  • 117A Surge Building
  • Dr. Luca Massa, Virginia Tech
  • Faculty Host:  Dr. Rakesh Kapania

Abstract:

Recent spectroscopic measurements of hydrogen flames interacting with a dielectric barrier discharge have revealed the dramatic effects of the actuation. Above a threshold of the potential gap the flame, initially conical and flickering, flattens and the oscillations decrease substantially. I will explain in this seminar the plasma-combustion coupling mechanism responsible for this effect, compare the simulations against the experiments and demonstrate ignition enhancement in turbulent jets. Finally I will discuss the potential of plasma combustion coupling at atmospheric pressures to improve the combustion efficiency of small-scale combustors.