A study on equivalence-ratio dependence of minimum ignition energy based on initial burning velocity

Spark ignition of premixed gases was experimentally studied. Minimum ignition energy and initial burning velocity, which is a burning velocity at an initial stage of flame propagation, were measured and their dependences on equivalence ratio were discussed. Minimum ignition energy takes a minimum value when equivalence ratio is around 0.9 for methane/air mixtures, and around 1.5 for n-butane/air mixtures, which corresponds with the study of Lewis and von Elbe. A shadowgraph technique was used to observe the growth of the flame kernels. A burning velocity was measured from the images of the flame kernel, and initial burning velocity was defined as a burning velocity at the moment when the equivalent radius of the flame kernel is approximately 3.0mm. Initial burning velocity takes a maximum value when equivalence ratio is around 0.9 for methane/air mixtures, and around 1.5 for n-butane/air mixtures, while laminar burning velocity of well-grown flame takes a maximum value when equivalence ratio is around 1.1 for both mixtures as known well. This is caused by the curvature of flame surface at the initial stage. It is suggested that the equivalence-ratio dependence of minimum ignition energy is derived from that of initial burning velocity.