Application of MW Plasma Generator for Ignition of Kerosene/Air Mixture

The goal of this paper is to determine the range of dependable ignition and combustion stabilization of lean mixtures and to extend the working range with the aim to improve efficiency and environmentally acceptable characteristics of jet engines. Microwave (MW) plasma generators were employed to initiate combustion in kerosene/air streams. Experiments were carried out in a model frontal device (MFD) of turbojet combustor under different ignition and stabilization conditions. The MW plasma igniter was mounted behind an MFD of the turbojet combustor. The MFD was flowed around by air stream parameters: Mach number <i>M</i>_air = 0.1-0.35, temperature <i>T</i>_air = 280&nbsp;K - 565&nbsp;K, and the kerosene/air mixture equivalence ratios were phi = 0.3-1.5 . Results were compared with the ignition data by a standard aviation spark plug. It was shown that, in the case of the use of the MW igniter, the stable ignition range is expended to lean fuel/air mixtures or larger air flow velocities.