Pulse detonation engine

Abstract: Results on controlled continuous spin detonation of various fuels in liquid-propellant rocket motors and ramjet combustors are reported. Schemes of chambers, combustion in transverse detonation waves, and typical photographic records of transverse detonation waves are given. The flow structure, existence conditions, and basic properties of continuous detonation are considered. An analysis of physical, chemical, and geometric parameters determining spin detonation is presented. Results of studying continuous spin detonation of C 2 H 2 + air and H 2 + air mixtures in an annular ducted chamber 30.6 cm in diameter are reported. The range of existence of continuous spin detonation in fuel-air mixtures is determined as a function of the governing parameters. In the case of high-quality mixing, the transverse detonation wave velocity and structure are extremely stable in a wide range of the ratios of propellant components and in the examined range of pressures in the chamber.

Abstract: Applications of detonations to propulsion are reviewed. First, the advantages of the detonation cycle over the constant pressure combustion cycle, typical of conventional propulsion engines, are discussed. Then the early studies of standing normal detonations, intermittent (or pulsed) detonations, rotating detonations, and oblique shock-induced detonations are reviewed. This is followed by a brief discussion of detonation thrusters, lasersupported detonations and oblique detonation wave engines. Finally, a more detailed review of research during the past decade on ram accelerators and pulsed detonation engines is presented. The impact of the early work on these recent developments and some of the outstanding issues are also discussed.

Abstract: Pulse detonation engines (PDEs) are currently attracting considerable research and development attention because they promise performance improvements over existing airbreathing propulsion devices. Because of their inherently unsteady behavior, it has been difficult to conveniently classify and evaluate them relative to their steady-state counterparts. Consequently, most PDE studies employ unsteady gasdynamic calculations to determine the instantaneous pressures and forces acting on the surfaces of the device and integrate them over a cycle to determine thrust performance. A classical, closed thermodynamic cycle analysis of the PDE that is independent of time is presented. The most important result is the thermal efficiency of the PDE cycle, or the fraction of the heating value of the fuel that is converted to work that can be used to produce thrust. The cycle thermal efficiency is then used to find all of the traditional propulsion performance measures. The benefits of this approach are 1) that the fundamental processes incorporated in PDEs are clarified; 2) that direct, quantitative comparisons with other cycles (e.g., Brayton or Humphrey) are easily made; 3) that the influence of the entire ranges of the main parameters that influence PDE performance are easily explored; 4) that the ideal or upper limit of PDE performance capability is quantitatively established; and 5) that this analysis provides a basic building block for more complex PDE cycles. A comparison of cycle performance is made for ideal and real PDE, Brayton, and Humphrey cycles, utilizing realistic component loss models. The results show that the real PDE cycle has better performance than the real Brayton cycle only for flight Mach numbers less than about 3, or cycle static temperature ratios less than about 3. For flight Mach numbers greater than 3, the real Brayton cycle has better performance, and the real Humphrey cycle is an overoptimistic (and unnecessary) surrogate for the real PDE cycle.

Abstract: An analytical model for the impulse of a single-cycle pulse detonation tube has been developed and validated against experimental data. The model is based on the pressure history at the thrust surface of the detonation tube. The pressure history is modeled by a constant pressure portion, followed by a decay due to gas expansion out of the tube. The duration and amplitude of the constant pressure portion is determined by analyzing the gasdynamics of the self-similar flow behind a steadily moving detonation wave within the tube. The gas expansion process is modeled using dimensional analysis and empirical observations. The model predictions are validated against direct experimental measurements in terms of impulse per unit volume, specific impulse, and thrust. Comparisons are given with estimates of the specific impulse based on numerical simulations. Impulse per unit volume and specific impulse calculations are carried out for a wide range of fuel–oxygen–nitrogen mixtures (including aviation fuels) of varying initial pressure, equivalence ratio, and nitrogen dilution. The effect of the initial temperature is also investigated. The trends observed are explained using a simple scaling analysis showing the dependency of the impulse on initial conditions and energy release in the mixture.