Shock wave propagation and flame kernel morphology in laser‐induced plasma ignition of ch4/o2/n2 mixture

The application of laser ignition in the aerospace field has promising prospects. Based on the constant volume combustion chamber, the laser ignition of CH4/O2/N2 mixture with different initial pressure, different laser energy, different equivalence ratio and different oxygen content has been carried out. The development characteristics of the flame kernel and shock wave under different conditions are analyzed. In addition, the Taylor model and Jones model are also used to simulate the development process of the shock wave, and a new modified model is proposed based on the Jones model. The experimental results show that under pure oxygen conditions, the chemical reaction rate of the mixture is too fast, which makes it difficult for the flame kernel to form the ring and third‐lobe structure. However, the ring structure is easier to form with the pressure and laser energy degraded; the flame kernel morphology is easier to maintain at a rich equivalence ratio, which is caused by the influence of the movement of hot air flow and a clearer boundary between the ring and the third‐lobe. The decrease of the initial pressure or the increase of the laser energy leads to the increase in shock wave velocity, while the change of the equivalence ratio and oxygen content has less influence on the shock wave.