Abstract
Aero gas turbine engines must demonstrate their ability to be ignited on ground conditions or relighted in flight. The electric spark ignition is usually used in current aero gas turbine engines. Experiments on ignition characteristics relating to spark igniter penetration depth under atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions were conducted on the model combustor which is scaled in 1/18. Exciter was operated during 2 seconds, and successful ignition phenomena were confirmed by the pressure rising sharply in combustor. In addition, instantaneous ignition images were captured by a high-speed camera. It showed kernel propagation and successful ignition events in the sector model combustor. Ignition test results showed that ignition limit with increase in penetration depth of the igniter plug was wider. When the penetration depth of the igniter plug increased under the same fuel injection pressure condition, successful ignition events were obtained in higher differential pressure conditions between inlet and outlet of the combustor. The results demonstrate that the ratio of the combustible mixture, which is exposed to the high temperature environment around the igniter plug tip, increases. Thereby affect the combustor ignition performance.
