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Introduction

Lewis and von Elbe’s data on minimum spark ignition energies in gases have been the standard for many years, however, these data still do not agree with the most detailed computational models available. With this motivation, their classic experiment was revisited using laser ignition sources, with an emphasis on better characterization of the ignition source and its effect on minimum ignition energy. The apparatus consisted of a laser ignition source operating either as a Q-switched nanosecond or a pulse mode-locked picosecond laser. For CH4-air mixtures of varying stoichiometry the minimum ignition energy was bracketed through repeated trials at varying laser spark energies. Laser spark kernel sizes were quantified by imaging the visible emission of these sparks. Results showed that the laser ignition experiments are consistent with Lewis and von Elbe’s measurements for lean and rich mixtures, however, for near-stoichiometric mixtures, the laser ignition values were higher. These results are interpreted in the context of the size of the energy deposition region.

The entire article is at http://cpl.usc.edu/laser_ignition/

Incredibly interesting info and science!