Effects of electric fields in different electrode structures on methane/air flames

For the purpose of studying the effects of different DC electric fields on combustion, a constant volume combustion device was used to simulate the combustion process inside engine cylinder based on the theory of electric field assisted combustion. For the equivalent proportion of 0.8, 1.0 or 1.2, the relationship between DC electric field and methane/air flames was studied by applying three different electrode structures at normal temperature and pressure. The results show that the electric fields produced by the electrodes in three different structures have significant effects on promoting flame propagation in the horizontal direction, and the electric field produced by mesh electrodes promotes the flame propagation most, followed by columnar electrodes and needle electrodes. The combustion pressures under three electode structures were enhanced differently at the beginning, and the electric field produced by the mesh electrodes raised the combustion pressure the most. To sum up: among the three electrodes, the mesh electrode has the most promotive influence on the flame, showing a greater advantage over the other two in future applications.