Use of a pulsed plasma jet igniter to improve low-temperature starting of 100 per cent methanol (M100) fuelled engines is explored. A simple theoretical model of heat transfer from plasma to liquid methanol shows that sufficient energy is transferred for fuel vaporization in cold starting. Two laboratory experiments test liquid plane surface and droplet modes of ignition. An ordinary four cylinder auto engine fitted with plasma jet igniters is tested for cold starting in a Canadian winter, and cold starting is improved from +10°C (conventional ignition) to −16°C.
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