A flame technique to isolate the detonation/product interface relevant to rotating detonation engines

Abstract

A novel experimental technique is proposed to study the detonation propagation in a layer of non-reacted gas weakly confined by combustion products. This problem is relevant to rotating detonation engines, where transverse detonations are confined by products of a previous rotation cycle, and other applications such as industrial safety. The experimental technique utilizes a flame ignited along the top wall in a long channel. The preferential growth of the flame along the long direction of the channel creates a finger flame and permits to create a narrow layer of unburned gas. A detonation ignited outside of this layer then propagates through the layer. This permits to conduct accurate observations of the detonation interaction with the inert gas and determine the boundary condition of the interaction. The present paper provides a proof-of-concept demonstration of the technique in a 3.4 m by 0.2 m channel, in which long finger flames were observed in ethylene-oxygen mixtures. The flame is visualized by high-speed direct luminosity over its entire travel, coupled with pressure measurements. A direct simulation of the flame growth served to supplement the experiments and evaluate the role of the induced flow by the flame growth, which gives rise to a non-uniform velocity distribution along the channel length. Detonation experiments were also performed at various layer heights in order to establish the details of the interaction. The structure was visualized using high speed Schlieren video. It was found that an inert shock always runs ahead of the detonation wave, which gives rise to a unique double shock reflection interaction.