Study on initiation characteristics of rotating detonation by auto-initiation and pre-detonation method with high-temperature hydrogen gas

Abstract

Experimental studies were conducted on the initiation characteristics of rotating detonation waves (RDW) using auto-initiation and pre-detonation methods with high-temperature hydrogen gas. The effects of the two initiation methods on the formation and propagation characteristics of rotating detonation waves were compared. The experimental results showed that the formation process of the RDW was different when using auto-initiation and pre-detonation initiation. However, the parameters of the stable propagation stage of the RDW were similar. The time required for the formation of the RDW by pre-detonation was relatively short. As the equivalence ratio increased, the rotating detonation chamber (RDC) exhibited five propagation modes: two-co rotating detonation waves (TRDW), two-counter rotating detonation waves (TCRDW), a mixed mode, intermittent single rotating detonation wave (ISRDW), and single rotating detonation wave (SRDW). It is worth noting that both initiation methods were capable of achieving rotating detonation within the equivalence ratio range of 0.68–1.96. The pre-detonation initiation can expand the range of stable SRDW modes and has some advantages in terms of RDW propagation stability.