Initiation of detonation by incident shock waves in hydrogen-oxygen-argon mixtures

Abstract

A series of experiments was carried out to demonstrate in detail the steps by which a chemical reaction initiated by a shock wave couples to the wave. Shock speed, pressure, and heat transfer measurements gave complementary information on the process. The hydrogen-oxygen reaction that was studied is typical of many gaseous combustion reactions in having a temperature-dependent ignition induction time. Once reaction starts, energy is given to the incident shock wave so that induction times of successive elements of gas become shorter. During this period of decreasing induction time the shock wave is accelerated to a high transient value. Later the velocity falls off as the induction time reaches a short, constant interval and the reaction occurs close behind the shock wave.