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An intrinsic velocity–curvature–acceleration relationship for weakly unstable gaseous detonations

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the Combustion Institute
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
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The shock motion of calculated weakly unstable cellular detonation was analyzed using concepts from velocity-curvature theory to develop new insight into the underlying physical mechanisms driving the cellular instability. The cellular cycle was shown to follow a surface in a three-dimensional coordinate system composed of the local shock velocity, curvature, and acceleration. Wavelets of the detonation shock were found to follow a velocity-curvature trajectory that was characteristic of an initially reactive wave that decays in time to a decoupled blast wave. Near the Mach stem, these trajectories were only modulated by the strength of the Mach stem at the time the wavelet was generated, indicating that the small reaction zone present in this region is the dominant factor driving the flow. Away from the Mach stem, all wavelet trajectories collapsed to a common curve in velocity-curvature space that was consistent with motion of a decaying blast wave. For the mixture studied, the apparent adherence of shock motion to a unique surface in velocity-curvature-acceleration space indicates the possible existence of an intrinsic mixture-specific relationship for cellular gaseous detonation. In conclusion, this relationship and analysis methodology also provides a mechanism for quantification of the shock velocity and shape fluctuations present in cellular detonation, which may provide utility for modeling detonation engineering applications such as rotating detonation engine design.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1459849
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--17-30732
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Journal Name: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 37; ISSN 1540-7489
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Figures / Tables (10)

Table 1(p. 4)table Table 1
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Fig. 5.(p. 6)figure Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.(p. 6)figure Fig. 6.
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Fig. 8.(p. 6)figure Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.(p. 7)figure Fig. 9.

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Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Cellular instability
Gas-Phase detonation