Preliminary Study on Spark Emission Characteristics for Measuring the Minimum Ignition Energy of a Hydrogen-Oxygen Combustible Mixture

Abstract

The ignition energy of a hydrogen-oxygen combustible mixture is determined by the breakdown voltage and capacitor capacity measured using the spark ignition circuit. To measure the breakdown voltage, it is important to understand the attributes of the spark emission that occurs during ignition. Through this experiment, it was confirmed that the spark emission of a hydrogen-oxygen combustible mixture was divided into three stages: yield, arc, and glow. The breakdown voltage according to the hydrogen volume percentage of the hydrogen-oxygen combustible mixture was measured. Additionally, the ignition energy was measured by comparing the ignition energy calculation formula using the measured breakdown voltage and capacitor capacity with a formula suitable for the experimental conditions. Under these experimental conditions, the measurement of the minimum ignition energy required to ignite the combustible mixture is limited. The minimum ignition energy should be measured through the breakdown voltage at the minimum separation distance and a capacitor capacity of less than 1 pF.