Comparison of combustion duration and end-gas autoignition in inwardly and outwardly propagating flames induced by different ignition configurations

Recently, multiple spark ignition has received great attention since it helps to increase thermal efficiency and to reduce misfire in engines. Multiple spark ignition also affects the combustion duration and thereby it can be used for knock control. However, previous studies reported opposite trends in terms of how multiple spark ignition affects engine knock. This work aims to assess and interpret the influence of flame propagation direction induced by different ignition configurations on combustion duration and end-gas autoignition/engine knock. Two simplified and idealised ignition configurations are studied theoretically and numerically. One is with infinite number of sparks at side circular wall, which induces an inwardly propagating flame (IPF); and the other is with a single central spark, which induces an outwardly propagating flame (OPF). In the asymptotic theoretical analysis, the canonical 1D formulations for IPF and OPF are reduced to 0D model. Based on the 0D model, OPF and IPF at different initial temperatures are studied and compared. Counterintuitively, it is found that the combustion duration of OPF is shorter than that of IPF when there is no end-gas autoignition. On the other hand, the combustion duration of IPF is shorter than that of OPF when end-gas autoignition occurs. Furthermore, end-gas autoignition is found to be more prone to occur in IPF than OPF. These interesting observations are interpreted through assessing the ignition delay time and different components of the absolute flame propagation speed. The theoretical results are validated by transient simulations considering detailed chemistry and transport which are conducted for IPF and OPF in an iso-octane/air mixture at different initial temperatures and pressures. Both theoretical and numerical results suggest that compared to infinite number of ignition sparks at side wall, the single central ignition has the advantages in shortening the combustion duration and reducing the tendency of end-gas autoignition.