High-speed imaging of the ignition of ethanol at engine relevant conditions in a rapid compression machine

Abstract The rapid compression machine (RCM) is a great tool for investigating fuel properties under engine relevant conditions (high-pressures, low temperatures). The most common diagnostics is measuring the pressure over time and determining the ignition delay time (IDT). In this study, for the first time, the OH* luminescence of ethanol/air mixture is measured within an RCM experiment at 15 and 20 bar for Φ = 0.5. Combining the common pressure measurements with the simultaneously recorded high-speed images (up to 74.5 kHz framerate) gives a first insight into understanding the ignition modes and the corresponding pressure traces. At 74.5 kHz, in contrast to findings in literature, the ethanol ignition did not show to be purely homogeneous. Four different propagating fronts of OH* luminescence have been recorded. Besides a flame kernel and a detonation-like ignition front two further fronts prior to main ignition have been observed. The propagating speeds of the fronts have been determined and depend on the overall IDT.