Experimental investigation on air-breathing continuous rotating detonation engine in the cavity-based combustor

Abstract

In order to broaden the stable working range of air-breathing continuous rotating detonation engine and explore the influence of combustor configuration on the propagation characteristics of rotating detonation wave, the cavity-based annular combustor is introduced. Air-breathing rotating detonation engine experiments are conducted with non-premixed ethylene and air. A tri-propellant air-heater is used to imitate the outlet parameters of the intake of Ma4/20km. The designed mass flow is 1kg/s and the total temperature is 860K. The results show that the self-sustaining rotating detonation wave cannot be formed in the conventional annular combustor. The self-sustaining propagation of detonation wave is realized at the equivalent ratio of 0.62 to 0.72 in the cavity-based combustor, and the propagation velocity of which is about 900 m/s. It is demonstrated that the vortex zone in the cavity is conducive to the formation of rotating detonation wave, which can effectively broaden the stable working range of the engine. Feasibility of cavity-based annular combustor in rotating detonation engine is validated.