Supersonic flow of a combustible gas mixture past a sphere

In recent years considerable interest has developed in the problems of steady-state supersonic flow of a mixture of gases about bodies with the formation of detonation waves and slow combustion fronts. This is due in particular to the problem of fuel combustion in a supersonic air stream.In [1] the problem of supersonic flow past a wedge with a detonation wave attached to the wedge apex is solved. This solution is based on using the equation of the detonation polar obtained in [2]-the analog of the shock polar for the case of an exothermic discontinuity. In [3] a solution is given of the problem of cone flow with an attached detonation wave, and [4] presents solutions of the problems of supersonic flow past the wedge and cone with the formation of attached adiabatic shocks with subsequent combustion of the mixture in slow combustion fronts. In the two latter studies two different solutions were also found for the problem of flow past a point ignition source, one solution with gas combustion in the detonation wave, the other with gas combustion in the slow combustion front following the adiabatic shock. These solutions describe two different asymptotic pictures of flow of a combustible gas mixture past bodies.In an experimental study of the motion of a sphere in a combustible gas mixture [5] it was found that the detonation wave formed ahead of the sphere splits at some distance from the body into an ordinary (adiabatic) shock and a slow combustion front. Arguments are presented in [6] which make it possible to explain this phenomenon and in certain cases to predict its occurrence.The present paper presents examples of the calculation of flow of a combustible gas mixture past a sphere with a detonation wave in the case when the wave does not split. In addition, the flow near the point at which the detonation wave splits is analyzed for the case when splitting occurs where the gas velocity behind the wave is greater than the speed of sound. This analysis shows that in the given case the flow calculation may be carried out without any particular difficulties. On the other hand, the calculation of the flow for the case when the point of splitting is located in the subsonic portion of the flow behind the wave (or in the region of influence of the subsonic portion of the flow) presents difficulties. This flow case is similar to the problem of the supersonic jet of finite width impacting on an obstacle.     

Supersonic flow of combustible gas mixture past sphere with account for ignition delay time

Assume an axisymmetric blunt body or a symmetric profile is located in a uniform supersonic combustible gas mixture stream with the parameters M₁, p₁, and T₁. A detached shock is formed ahead of the body and the mixture passing through the, shock is subjected to compression and heating. Various flow regimes behind the shock wave may be realized, depending on the freestream conditions. For low velocities, temperatures, or pressures in the free stream, the mixture heating may not be sufficient for its ignition, and the usual adiabatic flow about the body will take place. In the other limiting case the temperature behind the adiabatic shock and the degree of gas compression in the shock are so great that the mixture ignites instantaneously and burns directly behind the shock wave in an infinitesimally thin zone, i. e., a detonation wave is formed. The intermediate case corresponds to the regime in which the width of the reaction zone is comparable with the characteristic linear dimension of the problem, for example, the radius of curvature of the body at the stagnation point.The problem of supersonic flow of a combustible mixture past a body with the formation of a detonation front has been solved in [1, 2]. The initial mixture and the combustion products were considered perfect gases with various values of the adiabatic exponent .These studies investigated the effect of the magnitude of the reaction thermal effect and flow velocity on the flow pattern and the distribution of the gasdynamic functions behind the detonation wave.In particular, the calculations showed that the strong detonation wave which is formed ahead of the sphere gradually transforms into a Chapman-Jouguet wave at a finite distance from the axis of symmetry. For planar flow in the case of flow about a circular cylinder it is shown that the Chapman-Jouguet regime is established only asymptotically, i. e., at infinity.This result corresponds to the conclusions of [3, 4], in which a theoretical analysis is given of the asymptotic behavior of unsteady flows with planar, spherical, and cylindrical detonation waves.Available experimental data show that in many cases the detonation wave does not degenerate into a Chapman-Jouguet wave as it decays, bur rather at some distance from the body it splits into an adiabatic shock wave and a slow combustion front.The position of the bifurcation point cannot be determined within the framework of the zero thickness detonation front theory [1], and for the determination of the location of this point we must consider the structure of the combustion zone in the detonation wave. Such a study was made with very simple assumptions in [5].The present paper presents a numerical solution of the problem of combustible mixture flow about a sphere with a very simple model for the structure of the combustion zone, in which the entire flow behind the bow shock wave consists of two regions of adiabatic flow-an induction region and a region of equilibrium flow of products of combustion separated by the combustion front in which the mixture burns instantaneously. The solution is presented only for subsonic and transonic flow regions.     

Propagation of detonation waves in electric and magnetic fields appearing as a result of concentrated energy input

The propagation of detonation waves in an electromagnetic field is investigated. The effect of a constant external electromagnetic field on the motion of the detonation wave and the combustion products behind the wave is analyzed for small magnetic Reynolds numbers. The detonation is initiated by a plane point explosion.     

Transition of plane overdriven detonation wave to the Chapman-Jouguet regime

The asymptotic laws of behavior for plane, cylindrical, and spherical infinitely thin detonation waves were found in [1, 2] for increasing distance from an igniting source in those cases in which the waves changed into Chapman-Jouguet waves as they decayed. It was shown that the plane overdriven detonation wave approaches the Chapman-Jouguet regime asymptotically, while the transition of the cylindrical or spherical strong detonation wave into the Chapman-Jouguet wave may occur at a finite distance from the initiation source.Similar conclusions are valid for the propagation of stationary steadystate detonation waves which arise with flow of combustible gas mixtures past bodies.However, numerous experiments [3, 4] on firing bodies in a detonating gas show that the overdriven detonation wave which forms ahead of the body decays and decomposes into an ordinary compression shock and a slow combustion front. To establish why the wave does not make the transition to the Chapman-Jouguet regime, in the following we consider the propagation of a plane detonation wave and account for finite chemical reaction rates. We use the very simple two-front model (ordinary shock wave and following flame front). Conditions are found for which transition to the Chapman-Jouguet regime does not occur. We first consider the propagation of an unsteady plane wave and then the steady plane wave. It is found that for all the mixtures used in these experiments transition to the Chapman-Jouguet regime is not possible within the framework of the assumed model.     

Shock and detonation wave diffraction at a sudden expansion in gas–particle mixtures

Numerical modeling of the propagation of shock and detonation waves is carried out in a duct with an abrupt expansion for a heterogeneous mixture of fine particles of aluminum and oxygen. A considerable difference from corresponding flows in pure gas is found. The influence of the size and mass loading of particles on the flow and shock wave structure behind the backward-facing step is determined. As in gaseous detonations, three types of scenarios of detonation development are obtained. Specific features of the flow structure are revealed such as deformation of the combustion front due to interaction between the relaxation zone and the vortex structure. The influence of particle size and channel width on detonation propagation is analyzed. This paper is based on work that was presented at the 21th International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems, Poitiers, France, July 23–27, 2007.     

Structure of detonation waves,ionizing a gas,in the presence of an electromagnetic field. Cases of low magnetic viscosity

If behind a detonation wave, ionizing a gas, the magnetic Reynolds number is much greater than unity, then in order to describe such waves (just as for ionizing shock waves) complementary relations [1, 2] are necessary. These complementary relations are not the consequence of the basic integral laws, but can be found from a consideration of the wave structure. In [2], the structure of detonation waves, ionizing a gas, was investigated in an oblique magnetic field. It was supposed that the flow in a layer representing the structure is determined by the finite rate of the chemical reaction and the finite electrical conductivity. In the case when the characteristic length of the chemical reaction is much less than the characteristic dissipation length of the magnetic field, the complementary relations which ensure the existence of the structure are obtained in explicit form. The case is considered below when the characteristic length of the chemical reaction is much greater than the dissipation length of the magnetic field. In this case, the complementary relations are obtained in the explicit form.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 95–101, May–June, 1976.     

Cellular detonation diffraction in gas–particle mixtures

Diffraction of cellular heterogeneous detonation out of a channel into open half-space in a mixture of aluminum particles and oxygen is investigated numerically. The flow is found to be very similar to gas detonation diffraction. The detonation weakening behind the step results in combustion front deceleration and decoupling from the leading shock wave. Subsequent re-initiation takes place in a transverse wave. New transverse waves are generated along the expanding front. The computations that were performed show that the critical number of cells is several times less than that for gases. This is confirmed by theoretical estimates based upon the Mitrofanov–Soloukhin approach.     

Calculation of hydrogen-air combustion behind detached shock wave for supersonic flow past a sphere

Many of the published theoretical studies of quasi-one-dimensional flows with combustion have been devoted to combustion in a nozzle, wake, or streamtube behind a normal shock wave [1–6].Recently, considerable interest has developed in the study of two-dimensional problems, specifically, the effective combustion of fuel in a supersonic air stream.In connection with experimental studies of the motion of bodies in combustible gas mixtures using ballistic facilities [7–9], the requirement has arisen for computer calculations of two-dimensional supersonic gas flow past bodies in the presence of combustion.In preceding studies [10–12] the present author has solved the steady-state problem under very simple assumptions concerning the structure of the combustion zone in a detonation wave.In the present paper we obtain a numerical solution of the problem of supersonic hydrogen-air flow past a sphere with account for the nonequilibrium nature of eight chemical reactions. The computations encompass only the subsonic and transonic flow regions.The author thanks G. G. Chernyi for valuable comments during discussion of the article.     

Simple waves in general elastic materials

The general theory of simple waves in Green-elastic and Cauchy-elastic materials is given. Such waves generate three-dimensional unsteady deformations. Boundary conditions producing such waves are derived together with conditions under which shocks occur. The theory is used to illustrate conditions behind acceleration fronts moving into homogeneously deformed regions and also the modes of propagation of fronts moving into a simple wave. The steady flow of an elastic material past a rigid developable surface is discussed. Simple waves which are principal waves are also discussed.     

Oxyhydrogen combustion and detonation driven shock tube

The performance of combustion driver ignited by multi-spark plugs distributed along axial direction has been analysed and tested. An improved ignition method with three circumferential equidistributed ignitors at main diaphragm has been presented, by which the produced incident shock waves have higher repeatability, and better steadiness in the pressure, temperature and velocity fields of flow behind the incidence shock, and thus meets the requirements of aerodynamic experiment. The attachment of a damping section at the end of the driver can eliminate the high reflection pressure produced by detonation wave, and the backward detonation driver can be employed to generate high enthalpy and high density test flow. The incident shock wave produced by this method is well repeated and with weak attenuation. The reflection wave caused by the contracted section at the main diaphragm will weaken the unfavorable effect of rarefaction wave behind the detonation wave, which indicates that the forward detonation driver can be applied in the practice. For incident shock wave of identical strength, the initial pressure of the forward detonation driver is about 1 order of magnitude lower than that of backward detonation. The project supported by State Science and Technology Committee, National Natural Foundation of Science of China (19082012), Chinese Academy of Sciences and Project of National High Technology of China. In memory of academician Kuo Yonghuai's 90th anniversary.     

Adaptive unstructured finite element method for two-dimensional detonation simulations

A non-equilibrium reacting flow methodology has been added to a conservative, monotonic, compressible flow solver to allow numerical simulations of gas detonations. This flow solver incorporates unstructured dynamically adaptive meshes with the Finite Element Method – Flux Corrected Transport (FEM-FCT) scheme, which has shown excellent predictive capability of various non-reacting compressible flows. A two-step induction parameter model was used to model the combustion of the gas phase coupled with an energy release equation which was simulated with a point implicit finite element scheme. This combustion model was then applied to a two-dimensional detonation test case of a hypothetical fuel:oxygen mixture. The detonation simulation yielded two transverse waves which continued to propagate. This feature and the detonation shock speed mean and fluctuations were found to be grid-independent based on a resolution of about twenty elements within the average induction length. The resolution was efficiently achieved with the unstructured dynamically adaptive finite elements, which were three orders of magnitude less in number then required for uniform discretization. Received 26 August 1996 / Accepted 31 March 1997     

Similarity motions of a gas in the case of local supply of mass and energy in a fuel mixture

One-dimensional nonstationary similarity motions of a gas with exothermic reactions behind shock waves are analyzed. The thickness of the region of chemical reactions is ignored. New solutions are obtained for the problems of flows of a chemically active gas with the formation of shock and detonation waves. In particular, it is shown that in the framework of the adopted schemes of the combustion process a solution with five strong-discontinuity surfaces can be constructed. The results are given of numerical solutions for supercompression detonation and Chapman-Jouguet detonation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 70–77, July–August, 1979.     

Nonlinear analysis of the flow initiated by the sudden motion of a wedge

Certain self-similar problems involving the sudden motion of a wedge which were treated in the linear approximation in [1–3] are studied by the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The nature of the wave boundary of the perturbed region is determined. Second-approximation solutions are constructed which describe flows behind weak shock fronts propagating in a stationary gas and behind fronts of weak discontinuity lines propagating by known uniform flows. A boundary-value problem is formulated whose solution describes, in first approximation, flows in the neighborhoods of points of interaction of the fronts. The existence of similarity rules of flows in these nieghborhoods is estimated. An approximate solution of the problems is given.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 3, pp. 37–47, May–June, 1976.     

Propagation of shock and detonation waves in dust-laden gases

This article examines the flows of a two-phase mixture of a gas with solid particles arising as a result of the propagation of shock waves or detonation waves through a homogeneous medium at rest. It is assumed that the basic assumptions of the mechanics of mutually penetrating continua hold [1], whereby it is possible to describe the flow of each phase of the mixture within the framework of the mechanics of a continuous medium. We assume that the solid phase consists of identical, incompressible, and nondeformable particles of spherical shape. It is assumed that the temperature inside the particles is homogeneous. Collisions between particles and their Brownian motion are ignored. It is assumed that the carrier phase is an ideal gas (the viscosity is only allowed for in the interaction forces between phases). The contribution of the volume of the particles is not considered. On the basis of these assumptions, the following problems are considered: the propagation of a detonation wave in a mixture of a detonating gas and chemically inert particles and the motion of a dust-gas mixture in a shock tube in the presence of combustion of the particles.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6. pp. 93–99, November–December, 1984.     

应用阵面追踪法对散心爆轰波传播的数值模拟

考虑到爆轰波阵面曲率及化学反应区宽度的作用 ,由修正Hugoniot关系式解析求解了波后状态 ,应用阵面追踪法 (FTM)数值模拟了曲面散心爆轰波的传播。计算给出的散心爆轰波走时及波阵面上物理量都达到了波阵面曲率的一阶精度。     

Detonation Wave Propagation in Rotational Gas Flows

This paper studies the propagation of detonation and shock waves in vortex gas flows, in which the initial pressure, density, and velocity are generally functions of the coordinate — the distance from the symmetry axis. Rotational axisymmetric flow having a transverse velocity component in addition to a nonuniform longitudinal velocity is considered. The possibility of propagation of Chapman–Jouguet detonation waves in rotating flows is analyzed. A necessary conditions for the existence of a Chapman–Jouguet wave is obtained.     

斜爆轰发动机的推力性能理论分析

爆轰燃烧具有释热快、循环热效率高的特点. 斜爆轰发动机利用斜爆轰波进行燃烧组织, 在高超声速吸气式推进系统中具有重要地位. 以往研究主要关注斜爆轰波的起爆、驻定以及波系结构等, 缺少从整体层面出发对斜爆轰发动机开展推力性能分析. 本文将斜爆轰发动机内的流动和燃烧过程分解成进气压缩、燃料掺混、燃烧释热和排气膨胀4个基本模块并分别进行理论求解, 建立了斜爆轰发动机推力性能的理论分析模型. 在斜爆轰波系研究成果的基础上, 选取了过驱动斜爆轰、Chapman?Jouguet斜爆轰、过驱动正爆轰和斜激波诱导等容燃烧等4种燃烧模式来描述燃烧室内的燃烧释热过程, 并对比分析了不同燃烧模式对发动机比冲性能的影响. 此外, 还获得了不同来流参数、燃烧室参数和进排气参数等对发动机推力的影响规律, 发现来流马赫数和尾喷管的膨胀面积比是发动机理论燃料比冲的主要影响因素. 最后, 结合以往关于受限空间内斜爆轰波驻定特性等方面的研究成果, 提出了斜爆轰发动机燃烧室的设计方向.      

Flow of a conductive gas in a circular tube in a strong axiosymmetric magnetic field

The flow of a conductive gas along a channel in an external axiosymmetric magnetic field with a finite value of the magnetogasodynamic parameter N is examined. Numerical flow calculations are performed for a circular tube in such a field. Gas dynamic parameter fields, total pressure losses, and electric current intensities with the presence of transsonic zones and highly compressed regions are determined. Through comparison of the results obtained with linear theory data, the range of applicability of the latter is determined. Of the works dedicated to study of flow in external magnetic fields with N1, we should take note of [1], in which the process of entry of the gas into a transverse magnetic field was examined; [2], which studied one-dimensional transient motion with shock waves; and [3], where mixed flow in a Laval nozzle with an axiosymmetric homogeneous magnetic field was studied. Flow in a circular tube was examined in [4]; but the analysis performed by the characteristic method permitted calculation of only the initial supersonic flow zone. Motion in circular tubes in the presence of an axiosymmetric, magnetic field was studied in the linear formulation in [4, 5].Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 145–155, September–October, 1972.     

Relaxation of overdriven detonation waves with finite reaction rate

A numerical study is made of the interaction of a detonation wave having finite reaction velocity with a rarefaction wave of different intensity which approaches it from the rear, for the Zeldovich-Neumann-Doring (ZND) model with a single irreversible reaction A B. It is found that, for a fixed value of the parameter characterizing the initial supercompression (depending on the activation energy and the heating value of the mixture), the considered interaction leads either to a gradual relaxation of the detonation wave and its transition to the Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) regime, or to the development of undamped oscillations.Interest in the problems of detonation and supersonic combustion has increased in recent years. This is associated with the appearance and development of new experimental and theoretical techniques; it is also associated with the further development of air-breathing reaction engines, and other practical requirements. The present state of detonation theory is reflected in the survey [1].It has been established [2] that the detonation wave in gases nearly always has a complex nonuniform structure. Transverse disturbances are observed under a wide range of conditions and differ both in amplitude and wavelength. At the same time, behind the detonation leading front there is a region of uncompletely burned gas corresponding to the effective ignition induction period [3]. In spinning detonation the induction period is significantly longer than the heat release period and transverse detonation waves traveling in the induction zone of the head wave appear [3, 4]. Such a secondary detonation wave is free of transverse disturbances. The same is true of the detonation waves observed in the wake behind a body moving at high speed in a combustible medium [5] or in a gas which has been preheated by a shock wave [6].Although it is possible, under favorable conditions, to study in detail the system of discontinuities accompanying detonation, information on the extensive zones in which heat release takes place is scarce, the mechanism of detonation wave autonomy (in particular, the role of the rarefaction zone behind the wave) is not entirely clear, and the fact that, in spite of the complex structure, an autonomous detonation propagates with the CJ velocity calculated on the basis of one-dimensional theory has not yet been explained.In studying the nonlinear phenomena associated with the finite reaction rate it is quite acceptable to investigate only the simple one-dimensional detonation model, with which it is convenient to restrict ourselves to a single effective chemical reaction. This model is particularly reasonable since, in certain cases, the real detonation is virtually one-dimensional.The question of the stability of the one-dimensional detonation wave to disturbances of its structure has been examined by several authors [7–13]. The use of computers makes possible the direct computation of flows with heat release and the study of their properties. This method has been used in [11–13] to study the stability problem for a detonation wave with respect to finite disturbances.In the present paper we present a numerical study of the interaction of a detonation wave having finite chemical reaction rate with a rarefaction wave of different intensity approaching it from the rear for the ZND model with a single irreversible reaction A B. It is found that for a fixed value of the parameter characterizing the difference between detonation and the CJ waves, depending on the activation energy E and the mixture heating value Q_m, the interaction in question leads either to a gradual relaxation of the detonation wave and its transition to the CJ regime (this relaxation may be accompanied by decaying oscillations) or to the appearance of undamped oscillations (the unstable regime). The parameters E and Q_m affect the wave stability differently: with increase of Q_m, the wave is stabilized; with increase of E, it is destabilized. The boundary between the stable and unstable detonation wave propagation regimes is found. This boundary has a weak dependence on the rarefaction wave intensity. Estimates and calculated examples show that the amplitude of the unstable wave oscillations is finite and that the average detonation propagation velocity is close to the CJ velocity computed for the given heating value Qm.The author wishes to thank G. G. Chernyi for his guidance and L. A. Chudov for advice on computational questions.