Affordable Pulse-Power Module for Nonthermal Ignition and Plasma Surface Modification

To improve jet-engine combustion, we chose a saturable-reactor design for driving a plasma discharge igniter. A major advantage of this architecture is that it is invulnerable to damage by arcs. In Phase I we demonstrated a risetime of 10 ns at 23 kV into a 50 ohm load. We believe that in Phase II pulsers with the same basic design can be scaled to produce similar outputs at 30 kHz, 30 kV, and 1.5 kW. We plan to build two prototypes. AFRL will use the first one to develop their igniter and refine the requirements. The second prototype will be designed to meet these refined requirements; it will be also be tested at AFRL to demonstrate substantial combustion enhancement. Finally, in consultation with AFRL and a major aircraft-engine manufacturer, we will design a third pulser that will be light-weight and capable of installation on an aircraft.