Wave propagation characteristics in predetonator of rotating detonation engine.

Abstract

One of the important component in Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) is the ignition system. The use of predetonator as an initiator has been presented by few researchers. They claim that the formation of detonation may occur either in the annulus chamber of the RDE if not in the predetonator. Although formation of detonation may occur in the RDE, there are some concerns about the effectiveness of maintaining rotating detonation wave in RDE. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of detonation event in the predetonator to RDE initiation. Various parameters are investigated including type of fuel, equivalence ratio, ignition energy, and length of Shchelkin spiral. CEA program is used to determine suitable fuel and range of equivalence ratio to be use in the predetonator. Experiments were carried out to determine the effect of equivalence ratio, ignition energy, and Shchelkin spiral in predetonator on characteristic of the propagating wave. The formation of detonation wave near open end of tube tend to create pointed shape exit wave which contribute to the success rate of rotating detonation wave initiation in annulus chamber of RDE.