Research on the combustion mechanism of plasma-induced ammonia-hydrogen jet ignition engine

Ammonia serves as an efficient hydrogen energy carrier, holding promise for achieving carbon neutrality in the internal combustion engine (ICE) industry. To boost the thermal efficiency of ammonia ICE, plasma-induced jet ignition (PIJI) is proposed with hydrogen as a combustion promoter. A zero -dimensional model of the PIJI ammonia-hydrogen engine, integrating SENKIN and ZDplaskin, reveals that plasma ignition consumes only 1/10 of the energy of spark ignition (SI) in the jet chamber. Active radicals resulting from the plasma reaction of O2 and NH3 expedite combustion in the jet chamber. By extending discharge duration from 3 ns to 4 ns, increasing discharge frequency from 30 kHz to 100 kHz, and strengthening the electric field from 350 Td to 450 Td, energy consumption is reduced by 80%, 50%, and 95% respectively. A low temperature exothermic phase is observed before the auto-ignition of the main chamber, irrespective of the ignition method.