Mathematical Modeling of the Hydrodynamic Instability and Chemical Inhibition of Detonation Waves in a Syngas–Air Mixture

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the two-dimensional modeling of the hydrodynamic instability of a detonation wave, which results in the formation of an oscillating cellular structure on the wave front. This cellular structure of the wave, unstable due to its origin, demonstrates the constant statistically averaged characteristics of the cell size. The suppression of detonation propagation in synthesis gas mixtures with air using a combustible inhibitor is studied numerically. Contrary to the majority of inhibitors being either inert substances, which do not take part in the chemical reaction, or take part in chemical reaction but do not contribute to energy release, the suggested inhibitor is also a fuel, which enters into an exothermic reaction with oxygen. The unsaturated hydrocarbon propylene additive is used as an inhibitor. The dependence of the effect of the inhibitor content on the mitigation of detonation for various conditions of detonation initiation is researched. The results make it possible to determine a critical percentage of inhibitor which prevents the occurrence of detonation and the critical percentage of inhibitor which destroys a developed detonation wave.