Numerical investigation of shock wave reflections near the head ends of rotating detonation engines

Abstract

The influence of various chamber geometries on shock wave reflections near the head end of rotating detonation engines was investigated. A hydrogen/air one-step chemical reaction model was used. The results demonstrated that the variation in flow field along the radial direction was not obvious when the chamber width was small, but became progressively more obvious as the chamber width increased. The thrust increased linearly, and the detonation height and the fuel-based gross specific impulse were almost constant as the chamber width increased. Near the head end, shock waves reflected repeatedly between the inner and outer walls. Both regular and Mach reflections were found near the head end. The length of the Mach stem increased as the chamber length increased. When the chamber width, chamber length and injection parameters were the same, the larger inner radius resulted in more shock wave reflections between the inner and outer walls. The greater the ratio of the chamber width to the inner radius, the weaker the shock wave reflection near the head end. The detonation height on the outer wall and the thrust, both increased correspondingly, while the specific impulse was almost constant as the inner radius of the chamber increased. The numerical shock wave reflection phenomena coincided qualitatively with the experimental results.