Multiphysics Modeling of Spark Discharges in High Crossflow Ignition Environments

In SI engines, the initial stages of flame kernel formation play an important role in determining the overall thermal efficiency and in reducing the cycle-to-cycle variability. Introducing a cross-flow within the spark gap has shown to reduce the combustion fluctuations by shortening this initial ignition period and activating a larger volume of the fuel-air mixture. This work presents a computational study of spark discharges in high cross-flow ignition environments using a high-fidelity, multi-physics equilibrium plasma solver. The numerical framework is designed to simultaneously model chemically reacting fluid flow coupled with electromagnetics, surface ablation physics and external circuit dynamics in a fully coupled manner. The spark channel is simulated in a constant volume combustion chamber under different operating conditions and cross flow velocities. The simulation model is validated by comparing several key parameters associated with the discharge such as the breakdown voltage, dwell current, restrike timing, and spark stretch against experimental measurements.

Ensuring Electrostatic Spark Safety for the Use of Fiberglass in the Process Pipelines, Apparatus, and Equipment

The number of the insulating materials, including fiberglass products, are widely used in the construction, industry, oil and gas facilities, agro-industrial complex, transport, and defense. When using fiberglass, like some other insulating materials, it is possible to encounter their destruction and perforation, followed by a transition to the source of double-sided corona effect. Sliding spark discharges of static electricity, capable of igniting a combustible or explosive environment, are also likely to occur. The formation of such discharges depends primarily on the electrostatic and electrical strength properties of the used materials. These parameters should be used when assessing the most dangerous consequences of the fiberglass application in the process pipelines, apparatus, and equipment under the conditions of electrification processes. Comparison of the electrostatic and electrical strength properties of the corona-forming air layer in the electrization processes with the similar indicators of non-conductive structural materials is the main criterion that determines the possibility of their perforation and the occurrence of spontaneous sliding spark discharges. Electrostatic intrinsic safety should be ensured by eliminating static electricity discharges that are capable to become the flammable substances source of ignition (materials, mixtures, products). Sliding sparks can be eliminated by managing the electrostatic load. But at the same time, the hazard of ignition by discharges would remain if they could occur. When replacing the metal element (the wall of an apparatus or vessel) electrified by a liquid (technological medium), a product made of an insulating material, including fiberglass, with similar geometric, technical, and operational parameters, it is possible to maintain the efficient protection of the metal structure by means of its grounding.

Assessment of Phycocyanin Extraction from Cyanidium caldarium by Spark Discharges, Compared to Freeze-Thaw Cycles, Sonication and Pulsed Electric Fields

Phycocyanin is a blue colored pigment, synthesized by several species of cyanobacteria and red algae. Besides the application as a food-colorant, the pigmented protein is of high interest as a pharmaceutically and nutritionally valuable compound. Since cyanobacteria-derived phycocyanin is thermolabile, red algae that are adapted to high temperatures are an interesting source for phycocyanin extraction. Still, the extraction of high quality phycocyanin from red algae is challenging due to the strong and rigid cell wall. Since standard techniques show low yields, alternative methods are needed. Recently, spark discharges have been shown to gently disintegrate microalgae and thereby enable the efficient extraction of susceptible proteins. In this study, the applicability of spark discharges for phycocyanin extraction from the red alga Cyanidium caldarium was investigated. The efficiency of 30 min spark discharges was compared with standard treatment protocols, such as three times repeated freeze-thaw cycles, sonication, and pulsed electric fields. Input energy for all physical methods were kept constant at 11,880 J to ensure comparability. The obtained extracts were evaluated by photometric and fluorescent spectroscopy. Highest extraction yields were achieved with sonication (53 mg/g dry weight (dw)) and disintegration by spark discharges (4 mg/g dw) while neither freeze-thawing nor pulsed electric field disintegration proved effective. The protein analysis via LC-MS of the former two extracts revealed a comparable composition of phycobiliproteins. Despite the lower total concentration of phycocyanin after application of spark discharges, the purity in the raw extract was higher in comparison to the extract attained by sonication.

Synthesis of core–shell copper–graphite submicronic particles and carbon nano-onions by spark discharges in liquid hydrocarbons

Spark discharge in hydrocarbon liquids is considered a promising method for the synthesis of various nanomaterials, including nanocomposites. In this study, copper–carbon particles were synthesized by generating spark discharges between two Cu electrodes immersed in heptane, cyclohexane, or toluene. The synthesized particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Overall, two families of particles were observed: Cu particles (diameter < 10 nm) embedded in a carbon matrix and submicrometric Cu particles encapsulated in a carbon shell. The obtained results indicate that the size distribution of the Cu nanoparticles and the degree of graphitization of the carbon matrix depend on the liquid. Indeed, discharges in heptane lead to Cu particles with diameters of 2–6 nm embedded in a carbon matrix of low graphitization degree, while discharges in toluene result in particles with diameters of 2–14 nm embedded in carbon matrix of high graphitization degree. Based on the obtained experimental results, it is proposed that the Cu nanoparticles are produced in the plasma core where Cu (evaporated from the electrode surface) and carbonaceous species (decomposition of the liquid) are present. When the plasma hits the electrode surface, hot (thousands of Kelvin) Cu particles are ejected from the electrode, and they propagate in the liquid. The propagation of the hot particles in the liquid results in the local evaporation of this liquid, which leads to the formation of a C-shell around each Cu particle. In few cases where the shape of the Cu particle is not spherical, carbon nanoonions are detected between the C-shell and the Cu core. These nanoonions are supposedly formed under the effect of the fluid vortices generated close to the particle surfaces when these latter are ejected into the liquid.

Selected Properties of High-Frequency Electric Arc Initiators and Stabilisation Oscillators. Part 1. Devices with Free Electric Arc

The article presents selected physical properties of electric arc used in welding engineering as well as discusses differences in requirements concerning ionisers used to initiate and re-initiate electric arc. In addition, the article compares properties of ioniser systems used to stabilise electric arc burning as well as discusses spark gap and semiconductor systems generating high-frequency and high-voltage impulses used to generate spark discharges. The article also discusses the effect of ioniser operation after the modification of static current-voltage characteristics, enabling the modelling of dynamic states of electric arc.

Elongation and branching of stem channels produced by positive streamers in long air gaps

The elongation and branching of long positive spark discharges in the laboratory and in lightning have been attributed to the formation of thermalized channels inside a diffuse, glow-like streamer section at the leader head. It is experimentally shown here that the structured morphology of streamers produce low-density stem channels that elongate and branch well before a new leader channel section is formed. These non-thermalized stems are also shown to develop ahead of a developing leader channel. These findings are based on high-speed photography and Schlieren imaging used to visualize both the morphology of streamer filaments and stem channels. Numerical analysis is also performed to estimate the axial temperature and density of the stem channels. A stem-driven mechanism for the propagation and branching of positive long air gap discharges is proposed and discussed based on the presence of not-yet thermalized, low density channels formed by streamer ensembles at the leader head.