Research progress and outlook of plasma combustion control

The research on the application of plasmas in combustion chambers has been conducted over a century. Spark discharge plasma ignition technology is very mature, while the study of plasma combustion control for advanced engines is currently flourishing. Plasma combustion control technology plays a significant role in broadening the ignition and extinction boundaries of engines, enhancing combustion efficiency, and suppressing combustion instability. The mechanism of plasma combustion control, as an interdisciplinary frontier of plasma dynamics and combustion science, is rich in scientific connotations. This article reviews the research progress on plasma combustion control from two aspects: technology innovation and mechanism exploration. With respect to technology innovation, based on the development ideas of plasma actuation systems and the control effect, the research progress of various plasma combustion control methods is summarized, such as spark, arc, gliding arc, plasma torch, laser plasma, and nanosecond discharge techniques. With respect to mechanism exploration, the three main fundamental principles of thermal effects, chemical effects, and transport effects are analyzed, and the progress of plasma actuation reaction mechanisms for typical fuels, as well as the development of zero-dimensional, multi-dimensional, and phenomenological plasma combustion modelling and simulation models, are summarized. Finally, the outlook of future development of plasma combustion control is discussed. The innovation and exploration of plasma combustion control technology will further integrate and develop to satisfy the needs of advanced combustion chambers such as high-temperature-rise combustion chambers, wide-range afterburning combustion chambers, and wide-range supersonic combustion chambers, promoting the innovation and application of new types of plasma combustion control technologies. The plasma combustion control mechanism needs to be explored systematically and in depth, developing towards the emerging interdisciplinary field of plasma-excited combustion science. Additionally, the plasma combustion control of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels, as well as plasma-assisted energy conversion, is becoming research hotspots.