Abstract: The invention provides method for igniting pressurized fuel, the method comprising placing fuel into a combustion chamber; mixing the fuel with supercritical carbon dioxide and oxidizer to create a mixture; and contacting the fuel-air mixture with a laser, whereby the laser is pointed to a first point within the chamber. Also provided is a laser ignitor for carbon dioxide combustors, the ignitor comprising: an elongated housing capable of varying in length, the housing having a first proximal end and a second distal end; a laser head in close spatial relationship to the proximal end, wherein the laser head generates a first laser beam; a seal at the distal end that is optically transparent to the laser beam and physically opaque to combustion contaminants; an algorithm for directing the first beam to a first point within a combustion chamber for a first period of time; and an algorithm for directing a second laser beam to a second point within the combustion chamber for a second period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides method for igniting pressurized fuel, the method comprising placing fuel into a combustion chamber; mixing the fuel with supercritical carbon dioxide and oxidizer to create a mixture; and contacting the fuel-air mixture with a laser, whereby the laser is pointed to a first point within the chamber. Also provided is a laser ignitor for carbon dioxide combustors, the ignitor comprising: an elongated housing capable of varying in length, the housing having a first proximal end and a second distal end; a laser head in close spatial relationship to the proximal end, wherein the laser head generates a first laser beam; a seal at the distal end that is optically transparent to the laser beam and physically opaque to combustion contaminants; an algorithm for directing the first beam to a first point within a combustion chamber for a first period of time; and an algorithm for directing a second laser beam to a second point within the combustion chamber for a second period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining ignition quality in a fuel, the method including compressing a stoichiometric fuel mixture from a first pressure and temperature to a second temperature and temperature, and measuring the time between the attainment of the second pressure and temperature to auto ignition of the fuel mixture. Also provided is a device for measuring fuel ignition index, the device including a fuel mixture supply; a combustion chamber adapted to receive a stoichiometric fuel-mixture from the fuel-mixture supply; and a system for compressing the fuel mixture within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A laser igniter that avoids autoignition and soot formation within the prechamber and will minimize the formation of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). The laser igniter has a laser spark plug with a microlaser and a prechamber integrally formed with the laser spark plug. The prechamber has six nozzle holes with three of the nozzle holes having a large diameter and three of the nozzle holes having a small diameter. The large and small nozzle holes are in a staggered arrangement.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing nitrous oxide emissions from an internal combustion engine. An input gas stream of natural gas includes a nitrogen gas enrichment which reduces nitrous oxide emissions. In addition ignition timing for gas combustion is advanced to improve FCE while maintaining lower nitrous oxide emissions.

Abstract: A laser based ignition system for stationary natural gas engines, a distributor system for use with high-powered lasers, and a method of determining a successful ignition event in a laser-based ignition system are provided. The laser based ignition (LBI) system for stationary natural gas engines includes a high power pulsed laser providing a pulsed emission output coupled to a plurality of laser plugs. A respective one of the plurality of laser plugs is provided in an engine cylinder. The laser plug focuses the coherent emission from the pulsed laser to a tiny volume or focal spot and a high electric field gradient at the focal spot leads to photoionization of the combustible mixture resulting in ignition.