A plasma engine that defies logic and should not exist: But it already powers a Japanese car

Advances in engine design are increasingly surprising, such as the manganese engines from Japan. However, this time an innovation has arrived that defies all logic, a plasma engine that should not exist, but what is it? And how is this possible?

Transient plasma technology

The automotive industry is constantly looking for innovative technologies to optimize efficiency and reduce emissions from internal combustion engines.

In this context, transient plasma technology has become particularly relevant. This technology is based on the creation of a low-temperature, high-density plasma through the application of high-frequency, short-duration electrical pulses.

It is worth remembering that plasma is the fourth state of matter, similar to the gaseous state but composed of ionized atoms, where electrons circulate freely.

A great advance for Japan

This technology has been gaining popularity over time, but it has now taken a very important step towards commercialization, as the Californian company Transient Plasma Systems (TPS) has developed a plasma ignition system that is already being used in a Japanese car.

According to Dan Singleton, co-founder and CEO of TPS, this system can improve engine efficiency by up to 20% and he stated the following:

“What all engine designers wanted to do was to be able to run combustion modes that are more efficient.” “The TPS ignition system extends that ‘ignition window’, allowing much less fuel to be used in the ignition process, all while achieving better engine efficiency and a reduction in CO2 and NOx.”

How do these systems work?

To understand how they work a little better, we must remember that in a traditional internal combustion engine, the spark plugs perform the task of igniting the fuel inside the engine cylinders.

In contrast, what this new system proposes is a “spark plug” that uses nanosecond plasma pulses to ignite the air and fuel mixture inside the engine cylinders, allowing for greater combustion efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The system also offers other benefits, such as longer engine component life and reduced fuel consumption. Furthermore, the system is compatible with a variety of fuels, making it more versatile than other ignition systems.

The tests were a complete success

To test its effectiveness, TPS has implemented this technology in a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in a Toyota Camry, designed to operate in the efficient Atkinson cycle, reaching a thermal efficiency of close to 40%.

This technology not only improves engine efficiency, but also optimizes management, allowing the EGR valve to be slightly more open and adjusting the ignition timing. Thanks to these modifications, the engine has managed to reduce its fuel consumption by up to 6% compared to the conventional ignition system.

In addition, the ignition system has proven to be more tolerant of lean mixtures, i.e. those with higher amounts of air and less fuel. According to the results of previous simulations presented in a 2020 report by Sandia National Labs, this could translate into fuel savings of up to 20%.

Best of all, this new ignition system could be offered as an aftermarket option. While it will require engine reconfiguration, this is a common process that tuners and enthusiasts frequently perform.

In conclusion, the plasma ignition system is a highly innovative technology that defies logic and offers great benefits in terms of efficiency and sustainability, as does this impressive engine from NASA that works in a similar way.

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