Large Eddy Simulation Modeling of Plasma Assisted Combustion focusing on microwave and gliding arc discharges

Combustion processes will continue to be critical to supply modern society with energy, and hence the development of methods to minimize emissions and to improve efficiency are of great importance. Currently, there is a drive towards alternative, carbon-neutral, bio- and electrofuels, from renewable feedstocks.

These sustainable fuels have different compositions, combustion properties and emission profiles than the fuels they are to replace.

This places new demands on the combustion infrastructure, and the need to increase fuel flexibility beyond today becomes critical. A promising method is to supply a small amount of electrical energy to the flame to stimulate the combustion chemistry.

In the projects EFFECT I and II, funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Plasma Assisted Combustion (PAC) have been explored. It has been shown that lean blow-out can be delayed, and fuel flexibility increased without increasing NOX.

In this project we will develop Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models for PAC that will be used to build knowledge about non-thermal plasmas and their effect on the flow, chemistry and transport properties to increase fuel flexibility, eliminate incipient thermoacoustic instabilities and reduce emissions.

We will focus on microwaves and gliding discharges as they have proven reliable. The model(s) will be validated against experimental data, which will serve to provide also the physics knowledge. The model will then be used to develop novel fuel flexibility concepts.