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Low temperature plasma ignition has been proposed as a new ignition technique as it has features of good wear resistance, low energy release and combustion enhancement. In the authors’ previous study, lean burn limit could be extended slightly by low temperature plasma ignition while the power supply’s performance with steep voltage rising with time (dV/dt), showed higher peak value of the rate of heat release and better indicated thermal efficiency. In this study, basic study of low temperature plasma ignition system was carried out to find out the reason of combustion enhancement. Moreover, the durability test of low temperature plasma plug was performed to check the wear resistance.

Experimental studies are conducted on extinction of non-premixed dimethyl ether (DME) flames stabilized in the counterflow configuration. Studies are carried out by injecting a fuel stream made up of fuel and inert gas (N2 or CO2) from one duct and an oxidizer stream made up of O2 and inert gas (N2 or CO2) from the other duct. Critical conditions of extinction are measured by increasing the flow rate of the counterflowing streams until the flame extinguishes. Numerical studies are also performed using detailed chemistry at conditions corresponding to those used in the experiments and compared with measurements. The present study highlights the examination of the influence of flame temperature, flame structure and kind of inert gas on extinction properties of DME. To examine the effect of flame temperature, inert gas is introducing to both fuel and oxidizer sides in such a way that the stoichiometric mixture fraction, Zst, is not changed, which means flame structure is not changed.