Thrust characteristics of an airbreathing pulse detonation engine in supersonic flight at various altitudes

The main thrust characteristics, such as thrust force, specific impulse, specific fuel consumption, and specific thrust, of a pulse detonation engine (PDE) with an air intake and nozzle in conditions of flight at a Mach number of 3 and various altitudes (from 8 to 28 km above sea level) are for the first time calculated with consideration given to the physicochemical characteristics of the oxidation and combustion of hydro-carbon fuel (propane), finite time of turbulent flame acceleration, and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). In addition, a parametric analysis of the influence of the operation mode and design parameters of the PDE on its thrust characteristics in flight at a Mach number of 3 and an altitude of 16 km is performed, and the characteristics of engines with direct initiation of detonation and fast deflagration are compared. It is shown that a PDE of this design greatly exceeds an ideal ramjet engine in specific thrust, whereas regarding the specific impulse and specific fuel consumption, it is not inferior to the ideal ramjet.     

Thrust characteristics of an airbreathing pulse detonation engine in flight at mach numbers of 0.4 to 5.0

Multidimensional calculations are performed to demonstrate that, by its characteristics, the pulse detonation engine (PDE) is a unique type of ramjet propulsion system, which can be used in both subsonic and supersonic aircraft. By a number of examples, it is shown that, in various thrust characteristics, such as the specific impulse, specific fuel consumption, and specific thrust, the PDE substantially exceeds ramjet engines.     

超声速气流中的爆震推进理论与研究进展

爆震燃烧近似为等容燃烧,理论上其热循环效率高于基于等压燃烧的爆燃燃烧,在超声速推进系统中具有潜在的应用价值.通过总结超声速气流中的爆震推进理论与研究进展,分析其需要解决的关键科学与技术问题,指导未来高超声速发动机的基础研究.文章重点总结了适用于高超声速飞行的斜爆震发动机、超声速脉冲爆震冲压发动机的基础研究进展.其中对斜爆震发动机的应用模式、相关实验研究思路及方法、数值仿真现状进行了总结分析.对超声速脉冲爆震冲压发动机的基础理论研究现状和目前研究的难点进行了梳理.基于爆震燃烧的超燃冲压发动机具有推进系统自增压、燃烧效率高、推力性能好、推进效率高、燃烧室长度短、结构重量轻等优势,文章总结了该发动机当前的发展进程和最新的研究进展,并对其未来的发展方向以及存在的技术问题进行了分析.      

Oblique detonation waves stabilized in rectangular-cross-section bent tubes

Oblique detonation waves, which are generated by a fundamental detonation phenomenon occurring in bent tubes, may be applied to fuel combustion in high-efficiency engines such as a pulse detonation engine (PDE) and a rotating detonation engine (RDE). The present study has experimentally demonstrated that steady-state oblique detonation waves propagated stably through rectangular-cross-section bent tubes by visualizing these waves using a high-speed camera and the shadowgraph method. The oblique detonation waves were stabilized under the conditions of high initial pressure and a large curvature radius of the inside wall of the rectangular-cross-section bent tube. The geometrical shapes of the stabilized oblique detonation waves were calculated, and the results of the calculation were in good agreement with those of our experiment. Moreover, it was experimentally shown that the critical condition under which steady-state oblique detonation waves can stably propagate through the rectangular-cross-section bent tubes was the curvature radius of the inside wall of the rectangular-cross-section bent tube equivalent to 14–40 times the cell width.     

预注冷质的空气涡轮火箭性能分析研究

提出了压气机进口预注冷质的空气涡轮火箭(MIPCC ATR)循环,拓展了ATR在高飞行马赫数下的工作能力。给出了基于工质组分的变比热ATR循环热力学建模方法和工质物性改变时对部件特性的修正方法,基于所推导的准无量纲关系式讨论了循环参数之间的相互作用及其对性能的影响。研究结果表明预注冷质不仅能有效拓宽ATR的工作包线,而且可以提高单位推力,所需付出的代价是比冲会有一定程度的降低。     

Effect of thermal pressure in converging detonation waves

Propagation of converging detonation waves in various explosives is studied using the equation of state, which considers both the thermal and elastic pressures. It is seen that the rate of increase of thermal pressure is higher than that of the elastic pressure during convergence. The present equation of state is better since it also gives the variation of temperature, whereas the polytropic form of the equation of state is independent of temperature. It is seen that the total detonation pressure is slightly greater than the elastic pressure. Results are compared with those reported elsewhere.     

Numerical studies on autoignition and detonation development from a hot spot in hydrogen/air mixtures

Detonation development inside spark ignition engines can result in the so called super-knock with extremely high pressure oscillation above 200?atm. In this study, numerical simulations of autoignitive reaction front propagation in hydrogen/air mixtures are conducted and the detonation development regime is investigated. A hot spot with linear temperature distribution is used to induce autoignitive reaction front propagation. With the change of temperature gradient or hot spot size, three typical autoignition reaction front modes are identified: supersonic reaction front; detonation development and subsonic reaction front. The effects of initial pressure, initial temperature, fuel type and equivalence ratio on detonation development regime are examined. It is found that the detonation development regime strongly depends on mixture composition (fuel and equivalence ratio) and thermal conditions (initial pressure and temperature). Therefore, to achieve the quantitative prediction of super-knock in engines, we need use the detonation development regime for specific fuel at specific initial temperature, initial pressure, and equivalence ratio.     

The effects of mixture preburning on detonation wave propagation

Pressure gain combustion in the form of continuous detonations can provide a significant increase in the efficiency of a variety of propulsion and energy conversion devices. In this regard, rotating detonation engines (RDEs) that utilize an azimuthally-moving detonation wave in annular systems are increasingly seen as a viable approach to realizing pressure gain combustion. However, practical RDEs that employ non-premixed fuel and oxidizer injection need to minimize losses through a number of mechanisms, including turbulence-induced shock-front variations, incomplete fuel-air mixing, and premature deflagration. In this study, a canonical stratified detonation configuration is used to understand the impact of preburning on detonation efficiency. It was found that heat release ahead of the detonation wave leads to weaker shock fronts, delayed combustion of partially-oxidized fuel-air mixture, and non-compact heat release. Furthermore, large variations in wave speeds were observed, which is consistent with wave behavior in full-scale RDEs. Peak pressures in the compression region or near triple points were considerably lower than the theoretically-predicted values for ideal detonations. Analysis of the detonation structure indicates that this deflagration process is parasitic in nature, reducing the detonation efficiency but also leading to heat release far behind the wave that cannot directly strengthen the shock wave. This parasitic combustion leads to commensal combustion (heat release far downstream of the wave), indicating that it is the root cause of combustion efficiency losses.     

Detonation of CHO working substances in a laser jet engine

Laser-induced ablation of materials (including polymers and a variety of polycrystalline substances with a CHO chemical composition) is studied theoretically and experimentally. Based on experimental data, a parametric physicochemical model of detonation of these materials is put forward with the aim to estimate the efficiency of laser thrust formation in jet engines.     

Computational study of NOx formation in hydrogen-fuelled pulse detonation engines

The formation of NOx in hydrogen-fuelled pulse detonation engines (PDE) is investigated numerically. The computations are based on the axisymmetric Euler equations and a detailed combustion model consisting of 12 species and 27 reactions. A multi-level, dynamically adaptive grid is utilized, in order to resolve the structure of the detonation front. Computed NO concentrations are in good agreement with experimental measurements obtained at two operating frequencies and two equivalence ratios. Additional computations examine the effects of equivalence ratio and residence time on NOx formation at ambient conditions. The results indicate that NOx formation in PDEs is very high for near stoichiometric mixtures. NOx reduction requires use of lean or rich mixtures and the shortest possible detonation tube. NOx emissions for very lean or very rich mixtures are, however, fairly insensitive to residence time.     

Performance Analysis and Optimization for Irreversible Combined Carnot Heat Engine Working with Ideal Quantum Gases

An irreversible combined Carnot cycle model using ideal quantum gases as a working medium was studied by using finite-time thermodynamics. The combined cycle consisted of two Carnot sub-cycles in a cascade mode. Considering thermal resistance, internal irreversibility, and heat leakage losses, the power output and thermal efficiency of the irreversible combined Carnot cycle were derived by utilizing the quantum gas state equation. The temperature effect of the working medium on power output and thermal efficiency is analyzed by numerical method, the optimal relationship between power output and thermal efficiency is solved by the Euler-Lagrange equation, and the effects of different working mediums on the optimal power and thermal efficiency performance are also focused. The results show that there is a set of working medium temperatures that makes the power output of the combined cycle be maximum. When there is no heat leakage loss in the combined cycle, all the characteristic curves of optimal power versus thermal efficiency are parabolic-like ones, and the internal irreversibility makes both power output and efficiency decrease. When there is heat leakage loss in the combined cycle, all the characteristic curves of optimal power versus thermal efficiency are loop-shaped ones, and the heat leakage loss only affects the thermal efficiency of the combined Carnot cycle. Comparing the power output of combined heat engines with four types of working mediums, the two-stage combined Carnot cycle using ideal Fermi-Bose gas as working medium obtains the highest power output.     

Characteristics of pulse detonation engine versus ramjet characteristics

We discuss the method of comparing pulse detonation engines (PDE) and engines with combustion in subsonic flow (ramjet) by means of their specific impulse used by the “Center of Pulse-Detonation Combustion” (CPDC). We demonstrate that the method used by CPDC to calculate the performance of PDE overstates the value of specific impulse relative to its actual value by a factor of at least two. In contrast, the values of specific impulse for ramjet are understated. As a result, the specific impulse of PDE significantly exceeds that of ramjet or is close to it. We investigate these misleading conclusions, and demonstrate their complete failure.     

煤油氧气脉冲爆震火箭发动机爆震特性

脉冲爆震火箭发动机(PDRE)是一种利用脉冲式爆震波产生高温、高压燃气发出的冲量来产生推力的推进系统.与常规液体火箭发动机相比,脉冲爆震火箭发动机具有更高的性能,并且结构更简单.本文以航空煤油为燃料、氧气为氧化剂、压缩氮气为隔离气体,并利用电磁阀控制燃料、氧化剂和隔离气体的间歇式供给.利用低的点火能量(50mJ),在内径50mm,长度1.1m的爆震管内进行了大量的多循环爆震试验,研究煤油氧气电磁阀脉冲爆震火箭发动机的爆震波特性.研究结果为进一步研究气液两相多次爆震燃烧机理提供了依据,为研制工程应用的PDRE提供理论和实践基础.     

Detonation development in hydrogen/air mixtures inside a closed chamber: role of a cold wall

Detonation development from a hot spot has been extensively studied, where ignition occurs earlier than that in the surrounding mixtures. It has also been reported that a cool spot can induce detonation for large hydrocarbon fuels with Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) behavior, since ignition could happen earlier at lower temperatures. In this work we find that even for hydrogen/air mixtures without NTC behaviors, a cold wall can still initiate and promote detonation. End-wall reflection of the pressure wave and wall heat loss introduce an exothermic center outside the boundary layer, and then autoignitive reaction fronts on both sides may evolve into detonation waves. The right branch can be further strengthened by appropriate temperature gradient near the cold wall, and exhibits different dynamics at various initial conditions. The small excitation time and the large diffusivity of hydrogen provide the possibility for detonation development within the limited space between the autoignition kernel and the cold wall. Moreover, detonation may also develop near the flame front, which may or may not co-exist with detonation waves from the cold wall. Correspondingly, wall heat flux evolution exhibits different responses to detailed dynamic structures. Finally, we propose a regime diagram describing different combustion modes including normal flame, autoignition, and detonation from the wall and/or the reaction front. The boundary of normal flame regime qualitatively agrees with the prediction by the Livengood-Wu Integral method, while the detonation development from both the end wall and the reaction front observes Zel'dovich mechanism. Compared to hydrocarbons, hydrogen is resistant to knock onset but it is more prone to superknock development. The latter mode becomes more destructive in the presence of wall heat loss. This study isolates and identifies the role of wall heat loss on a potential mechanism for superknock development in hydrogen-fueled spark-ignition engines.     

突扩管爆轰推进及其喷管推力性能数值模拟

基于均相反应流N-S方程以及kε-湍流模型与EBU燃烧模型,对爆轰波在突扩管内传播,以及主爆轰管加装不同形状喷管后对推力性能的影响进行了数值模拟。结果表明,爆轰波从预爆管进入主管后,能迅速诱发新的爆轰。另外,主管加装各类喷管后,单次爆轰所得的平均推力发生变化。其中,发动机端部推力随喷管收敛角度的增大而提高,并随扩张角度的增大而降低,但平均总推力却随扩张角度的增大而提高,随收敛角度的增大而降低,并存在一个最佳扩张角。     

冷等离子体放电区长度对爆震特性影响的实验研究

快速高效的起爆对脉冲爆震发动机工作特性的作用十分关键.文章以乙炔为燃料、空气为氧化剂,使用双爆震管研究冷等离子体和火花塞两种点火方式对起爆特性的影响规律.冷等离子体发生器采用自主设计产品,研究中通过改变冷等离子体放电区长度,测试爆震波的传播过程,给出了放电区体积大小对爆震特性的影响.实验结果表明:冷等离子体点火起爆特性明显优于火花塞;在基本保证放电功率不变时,放电区长度的变化对火焰传播时间、火焰传播速度、爆震波峰值压力影响不大.因此,在工程实践中,采用小区域放电能够减少冷等离子的体积且不影响起爆性能.      

Autoignition and detonation development from a hot spot inside a closed chamber: Effects of end wall reflection

The advancement of highly boosted internal combustion engines (ICEs) with high thermal efficiency is mainly constrained by knock and super-knock, respectively, due to the end gas autoignition and detonation development. The pressure wave propagation and reflection in a small confined space may strongly interact with local end gas autoignition, leading to combustion characteristics different from those in a large chamber or open space. The present study investigates the transient autoignition process in an iso-octane/air mixture inside a closed chamber under engine-relevant conditions. The emphasis is given to the assessment of effects of the pressure wave-wall reflection and the mechanism of extremely strong pressure oscillation typical for super-knock. It is found that the hot spot induced autoignition in a closed chamber can be greatly affected by shock/pressure wave reflection from the end wall. Different autoignition modes respectively from the hot spot and the end wall reflection are identified. A non-dimensional parameter quantifying the interplay between different length and time scales is introduced, which helps to identify different autoignition regimes including detonation development near the end wall. It is shown that detonation development from the hot spot may cause super-knock with devastating pressure oscillation. However, the detonation development from the end wall can hardly produce pressure oscillation strong enough for the super-knock. The obtained results provide a fundamental insight into the knocking mechanism in engines under highly boosted conditions.     

Transverse wave generation mechanism in rotating detonation

Detonation engines are expected to be included in a number of aerospace thrusters in the future. Several types of detonation engines are currently under examination, including the rotating detonation engine (RDE). Although the RDE has been explored experimentally, its rotating detonation propagation mechanism is not well understood. This paper clarifies the detonation mechanism and dynamics of the RDE by 2D and 3D simulation using compressible Euler equations with a full chemical reaction mechanism of H₂/O₂ and H₂/Air, especially from the triple-point and transverse detonation points of view. A total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme is used for the mixture of H₂/Air, and an advection upwind splitting method difference vector (AUSMDV) scheme is used for the mixture of H₂/O₂. The use of an AUSMDV scheme provides a much clearer detonation structure than does the TVD scheme. We focus on the complex interaction mechanism of the detonation front and burned mixture gases. We found out that at this interaction point, an unreacted gas pocket appears and ignites periodically to generate transverse waves at the detonation front and maintain detonation propagation.     

Thermal behavior of acousto-optic devices: effects of ultrasound absorption and transducer losses

In the present paper we analyze the electric and acoustic losses in acousto-optic devices, especially in their ultrasonic transducers and the related thermal effects. We include electric and acoustic losses into the classical electric equivalent model of the transducer, to explain the characteristics of the measured electric and thermal behavior. Measured temperature distributions on the acousto-optic crystal faces serve visualization of the conversion efficiency of the radio-frequency input to bulk acoustic waves. We show that the pronounced acoustic frequency dependence of the temperature distribution is in correlation with the frequency dependent losses in the transducer and in the bulk. We also demonstrate experimentally the effectiveness of our active and passive heat removing and temperature stabilization methods.