Detonation Wave Driven by Aerosolized Liquid RP-2 Spray

Abstract

Detonation-based engines such as Rotating Detonating Engines (RDEs) have been of significant interest for aerospace propulsion. However, most detonation-related studies have focused on gaseous reactants with recent investigations focusing on liquid water interactions with gaseous detonations and shocks. This study explores the dynamics of detonation waves driven by aerosolized liquid fuel sprays. An Unlike-Doublet impinging-jet injector is used to atomize RP-2 and water into aerosolized liquid droplet cloud of measured droplet size distribution where the detonation wave interacts with the cloud mixture. Evidence of RP-2 driving the detonation phenomenon is quantified using dynamic pressure measurements and four simultaneous optical diagnostic measurements: high-speed schlieren, CH* chemiluminescence, formaldehyde planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and particle Mie scatter. The results show formaldehyde and CH* generation along with a substantial increase in pressure and wave speed when the detonation wave interacts with the RP2 mixture cloud. On the contrary, the detonation pressure and wave speed decrease are observed when the detonation wave interacts with the water droplet cloud. The investigation provides supporting information on liquid fuel droplet burning and heat release driving the detonation wave.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 24, 2022
Accession Number
AD1183562

Entities

People

  • Eric Paulson
  • Jason R. Burr
  • John Bennewitz
  • Kareem Ahmed
  • Rachel Hytovick
  • Ral Bielawski
  • Sheikh Salauddin
  • Venkat Raman
  • Vidhan Malik
  • William Hargus

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Toronto

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Boundary Layer
  • Burning Rate
  • Cell Size
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Detonation Waves
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Exothermic Reactions
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Fluids
  • Fuel Sprays
  • Heat Energy
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Ignition
  • Ignition Lag
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence
  • Lasers
  • Pressure Gain Combustion
  • Pressure Measurement

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster