Pressure measurements in detonation engines

Abstract

The influence of waveguide tubes on the signals received by remote pressure sensors measuring pressure histories in pulsed detonation engines (PDEs) and rotating detonation engines (RDEs) is studied computationally. Two types of pressure sensors are considered: low-frequency static pressure sensors and high-frequency sensors of pressure pulsations. Three approaches to solving the problem are used: based on Euler (inviscid flow), Navier–Stokes (laminar flow), and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (turbulent flow) equations. The approaches based on the inviscid and laminar flow models are shown to provide the best predictive capability. The laminar flow model is applied to analyzing the readings of pressure sensors installed remotely in the waveguide tubes attached to the hydrogen-fueled PDE, RDE, and detonation ramjet (DR). It is shown that the measurements of static pressure and pressure pulsations by remote pressure sensors do not correspond to the time-averaged mean and local instantaneous values of pressure in the combustors. The pressure time histories can be recovered based on the measurements and computational fluid dynamics calculations of the operation process. The latter is demonstrated by analyzing the results of test fires with a dual-duct DR model.