Ignition by Electric Spark Discharges Triggered by the Fuel/Energetic Aerosol Itself

Abstract

In this project, electric breakdown triggered by the presence of non-conductive droplets is studied with experiment and simulation. The presence of droplets can lower the threshold for breakdown by a large extent. There are several modes to trigger spark by the presence of droplets: (1) electrospray from the deposited liquid on the electrode; (2) single droplet repelled from the deposited liquid moving toward the opposite electrode; (3) single droplet attracted to an electrode but then forming an electrospray; and (4) presence of a single droplet very close to an electrode. The mechanism for triggering of the spark is attributed to electric field enhanced by the presence of high dielectric-constant liquid. The presence of materials in-between the electrode may also hinder the spark because of the adhesion of the initial ions onto the surfaces of the droplets or particles.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 30, 2017
Source ID
W911NF1610015

Entities

People

  • Stephen Da-Yen Tse

Organizations

  • Army Contracting Command
  • Rutgers University
  • United States Army

Tags

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.