Highly Compressible Shock-Laden Turbulent Reacting Flows for Hypersonics
Abstract
The acceleration of hypersonic technology development is of elevated national priority for the defense against the growing technological threat from adversaries. Advanced high energetic modes of hypersonic propulsion systems are required to maintain the technological superiority of the DoD Agencies, U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army. Detonation-based engine technologies where intense energy release is achieved through highly compressible shock-induced turbulent reacting flows are highly relevant and complimentary to the strategic consideration of DoD R&D efforts in the area of rotating detonation engine, a new propulsion concept for DoD hypersonics, missiles, rockets, and aircraft engines. Detonations are complex near-limit phenomenon of high-speed shock-driven reactions that are extremely challenging due to the extreme gradients of velocities, pressures, and temperatures. The reacting flows are on the order of Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, 2,000 m/s (4,474 miles per hour). The pressure rise is 15 to 30 times due to shock compressibility and energy release along with temperatures on the order of ~ 4,000 K (6750 F). The proposed research program seeks to establish the fundamental limits of detonation physics and explore the compressibility mechanism of these shock-laden turbulent reactions. The research will explore the fundamental scientific knowledge in four critical areas: (1) mechanisms of detonation thermodynamic efficiency, (2) compressibility of the shock-reactions, (3) detonation stability mechanisms and dynamics, and (4) pressure gain energy release. The focus of the research will be on the studying the detonation physics in three unique optically accessible facilities available at University of Central Florida that were recently developed under AFOSR and AFRL grants: 1- a hypersonic Mach 5 reacting facility (currently the only Mach 5 reacting facility in the nation), 2- an airbreathing rotating detonation engine (RDE) facility, and 3- a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) facility. The proposed investigation heavily leverages and substantially expands on a recent DoD equipment grant to conduct high-speed 4D time-resolved flow-flame measurements utilizing ultra-fast advanced laser and camera diagnostic equipment. An integrated research-and-education program is proposed to augment the institutional curriculum, training, and education in STEM through the proposed program. The overarching goal is to drive student growth in STEM disciplines, championing three key innovative initiatives: (i) Outreach and Learning, (ii) Course Curriculum, and (iii) Public and Professional Education. The measurements and data acquired through this program will provide educational opportunities for students from local high-schools, undergraduate and graduate research Theses, minority STEM outreach programs, curriculum project-based learning, and professional education. The knowledge gained from this investigation will significantly advance the performance of efficient DoD propulsion systems for warfighter dominance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010280
Entities
People
- Kareem Ahmed
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Central Florida