Moisture Content’s Influence on Characteristics of DBD Plasma-Assisted Coal Combustion With Central Electrode Structure

Abstract

The global energy structure is primarily dominated by fossil fuels, with coal being the main contributor to energy supply. This article proposes a combustion method based on the combination of nonequilibrium plasma generated by medium barrier discharge and water additives. The influence of different H₂O atomization rates on discharge power, mass loss, and temperature variation during plasma-assisted coal combustion processes was investigated. The research findings indicate that, under a fixed power supply voltage amplitude of 13.5 kV, as the H₂O atomization rate increases from 0 to 3.0 mL/min, the asymmetry of discharge current increases while discharge power decreases. When the H₂O atomization rate is 1.2 mL/min, the mass loss, temperature, and combustion surface reach their maximum values. Excessive H₂O inhibits coal combustion. Compared with the case of no H₂O addition, at a power supply voltage amplitude of 13.5 kV and a H₂O atomization rate of 1.2 mL/min, the combustion rate of coal significantly increases, and the combustion limit is extended.