A Simulation Study on Plasma Discharge of Microwave Spark Plug

Abstract

The microwave discharge process is typically a matter of multi-physics field coupling. In this paper, a two-dimensional axisymmetric simulation model of microwave spark plug is established by means of finite element simulation. The starting and developing process of spark plug central conductor tip discharge are simulated, while the distribution of electric field intensity, electron density and He+ density near the tip discharge over time are obtained. The simulation results show that with the progress of discharge, the electric field intensity at the tip of the central conductor is decreasing, and the electron concentration and He+ concentration reach an equilibrium state at 10−5s. This study provides a theoretical reference for understanding the discharge process and effect mechanism of microwave spark plug plasma discharge.