Numerical simulation of deflagration-to-detonation transition by coupled flame tracking - particle method

N. N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow, Russia

Abstract

The objective of the study outlined in this paper was to develop the computationally efficient algorithm for multidimensional numerical simulation of deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in gas-fueled airbreathing pulse detonation engine (PDE). It is implied that the availability of such an algorithm will allow for more realistic estimates of PDE performances (specific impulse, thrust, etc.) than those obtained with the presumption of direct detonation initiation. The new algorithm is based on the coupled Flame Tracking - Particle (FTP) method implemented into the standard Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code solving the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations by the control-volume technique. The coupled methodology has been applied to the two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulation of repeatable DDT in a propane-fueled PDE at Mach 3.0 flight conditions at altitudes 9.3 and 16 km. The fuel-based specific impulse was estimated as 1700-1800 s. The DDT was shown to be a feasible approach for practical PDEs.