Experimental Investigation of Detonation Wave Initiation for Application in Pulse Detonation Engines

We have designed, manufactured, and tested a detonation tube to investigate detonation wave initiation and propagation for application in a ingletube, single-cycle pulse detonation engine. A key issue in pulse detonation engine development is a low-energy initiation system that produces a short run-up distance to detonation and has reproducible shot-to-shot performance. In this paper, we performed primarily study of detonation initiation within a 25 mm diameter tube using spark ignition and a Shchelkin spiral. A series of experiments have been reported with hydrogen fuel mixed with oxygen .Essential parameters like pressure and velocity were measured. Effect of equivalence ratio, length tube and Shchelkin spiral investigated. Excremental results such as pressure histories, wave velocity versus position, were plotted and discussed. Results show continues increasing detonation velocity with equivalence ratio. We have used specific configuration setup to reduction DDT length. Experimental results indicate occurrence of detonation in a short distance (~200 mm) from the ignition point.

Keywords:

Detonation tube , Deflagration-to- Detonation Transition (DDT) , Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE)