Thermal characterization of an ignition assistant device at engine relevant conditions

It is of importance to improve technologies for multi-fuel capable compression ignition (CI) engine performance with various aerospace applications. One area that will benefit from enhancing such engines is the reliability of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Common causes for UAS failure are insufficient fuel combustibility or extreme engine operation conditions like cold start-up or low-pressure inlet air that is experienced at higher altitudes. Considering recent campaigns for increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the aviation industry, adaptability for multi-fuel capable propulsion systems will be essential for the future of aerial vehicles. Thus, maintaining engine reliability when combusting low quality fuels is certainly a concern for next generation UAS. Various methods for increasing combustion reliability include the use of ignition assistants. This report details the temperature and power draw characteristics of commercial off-the-shelf glow plugs (COTS) in compression ignition engine-like flows. This project aims to better understand the heat transfer characteristics of a commercial Bosch Duraspeed™ ceramic glow plug in a controlled flow environment. The original test section was developed with the goal of recreating engine-like-flows in an environment where the COTS glow plug’s temperature could be easily monitored with a thermocouple. Next, for optimized flow conditions and incorporation of radiometric temperature measurements, a modular flow facility was manufactured to include IR transparent windows. Experiments included sets of test matrices where parameters such as mass flow rate, supply voltage, insertion depth of the glow plug into the flow, and different shield designs were varied to analyze the glow plug’s performance in different operating conditions. The radiometric temperature investigation is of use for identification of optimal insertion depths and shield designs. These findings are beneficial to the future development of CI engines for application in next generation UAS.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Alonso, Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lee, Tonghun

• Ignition
• Heat Transfer
• UAS
• Silicon Nitride

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Richard Alonso

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/116128

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F116128