P-DRGEP: a novel methodology for the reduction of kinetics mechanisms for plasma-assisted combustion applications

Detailed kinetics mechanisms for plasma-assisted combustion contain numerous species and reactions that model the interplay between non-equilibrium plasma processes hydrocarbon oxidation. While physically accurate comprehensive, such detailed are impractical simulations of unsteady multi-dimensional discharges their effect on reactive mixtures in practical devices. In this work, we develop apply a novel methodology reduction large to smaller skeletal ones. The extends Directed Relation Graph with Error Propagation (DRGEP) approach order consider energy branching characteristics during reduction. Ensuring tight error tolerances relative proportions lost by electrons various classes impact (i.e. vibrational electronic excitation, ionization, dissociation) is key preserving correct discharge physics mechanism. To end, new targets include transfers defined incorporated DRGEP. performance framework, called P-DRGEP, assessed simulation ethylene-air ignition nanosecond repetitive pulsed at conditions relevant supersonic flame holding scramjet cavities, i.e. from 600 K 1000 K, 0.5 atm, equivalence ratios 0.75 1.5. P-DRGEP found be greatly superior traditional applied it generates mechanism significantly lower errors. For target conditions, 54 236 reactions, resulting 84% computational speed-up simulations, while guaranteeing errors below 10% time required following first pulse, 1% mean electron energy, 4 35% losses depending process, 5% laminar speed.