Development of a Robust and Reliable Ignition Assistance System for Multi-fuel Capable Engines.

Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) proposes to develop a compact ignition assistance system for igniting low cetane number fuels (20-40) in extreme environmental conditions. The designed system will be powered by 28 Volt DC. The unit will operate in the extreme environments found at altitude, where pressures may be as low as 30 kPa (absolute) and temperatures as low as -40°C. This will allow the ignition system to be incorporated into compression ignition engines, allowing for their operability with different fuels, while mitigating the risks of engine damage and flame blow-out. The igniter will improve performance (ignition and flame stability) in inhomogeneous charge compression ignition engines, particularly when using poor ignition-quality fuels. Such a technology is particularly attractive in that it would (1) reduce or eliminate the maintenance requirements of existing glow-plugs as the system would not be directly exposed to the extreme conditions inside the engine cylinders, and (2) be easily retrofitted onto existing engines, without need for further engine modifications.