Open AccessIgnition of an automobile engine by high-peak power Nd:YAG/Cr^4+:YAG laser-spark devices
Author(s) -
N. Pavel,
T. Dascǎlu,
Gabriela Salamu,
Mihai Dinca,
Niculae Boicea,
Adrian Birtas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.033028
Subject(s) - materials science , laser ignition , laser , ignition system , pulse duration , spark (programming language) , nd:yag laser , optics , spark ignition engine , physics , computer science , thermodynamics , programming language
Laser sparks that were built with high-peak power passively Q-switched Nd:YAG/Cr(4+):YAG lasers have been used to operate a Renault automobile engine. The design of such a laser spark igniter is discussed. The Nd:YAG/Cr(4+):YAG laser delivered pulses with energy of 4 mJ and 0.8-ns duration, corresponding to pulse peak power of 5 MW. The coefficients of variability of maximum pressure (COV(Pmax)) and of indicated mean effective pressure (COV(IMEP)) and specific emissions like hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured at various engine speeds and high loads. Improved engine stability in terms of COV(Pmax) and COV(Pmax) and decreased emissions of CO and HC were obtained for the engine that was run by laser sparks in comparison with classical ignition by electrical spark plugs.