Laser induced spark ignition of a gaseous methane–oxygen model rocket combustor

Abstract

The spatio-temporal evolution of laser induced spark ignition of non-premixed gaseous methane and oxygen is investigated. The reactants are injected into an optically accessible combustion chamber from an oxidizer centered shear-coaxial injector. High-speed schlieren imaging and measurements of laser energy deposited are used to characterize ignition behavior at various spark locations throughout the chamber. A spatial map of ignition probability is generated from tests at multiple axial and radial locations from the point of propellant injection. The rate of pressure rise from successful tests reveals two modes of ignition dependent on the location of the laser-induced breakdown, direct and indirect, based on laser-induced breakdown occurring within reactant jet or in the recirculation region, respectively. Physical processes occurring over multiple timescales throughout the direct ignition method are first discussed. Ignition outcomes associated with the indirect method are determined by the hydrodynamic ejection protruding from the laser spark, the behavior of which is explored in detail using flow statistics extracted from images taken at a single spark location. The spatial–temporal progression of this jet is found to be dependent on deposited laser energy, leading to a relationship between the amount of energy added to the flow and ignition outcome. General bounds for spark location, deposited laser energy, and ejection behavior are identified to predict ignition outcomes. Cases that are an exception from these bounds are investigated in detail to understand the cause of unique behavior. These cases lie within regions of the variable space that are susceptible to stochastic elements of the flow.

Novelty and Significance Statement: This work investigates laser induced spark ignition of O₂ and CH₄ issuing from a shear-coaxial injector in a model rocket combustor. Probability of ignition as a function of deposited energy and spatial location is studied with high-speed schlieren imaging and pressure measurements. Two distinct ignition modes that have previously not been identified, direct and indirect, are dependent on the laser deposition location with respect to the reactant jet. For indirect cases, where laser deposition is at a distance from the reactants, the hydrodynamic jet ejection generated from the breakdown of the plasma plays a critical role on ignition probability. The behavior of the ejection jet is characterized to provide a phenomenological description of the ignition process. The results of this research show the important interaction between chemical, fluid dynamic, and thermodynamic processes and their impact on laser ignition.