Thrust characteristics of an airbreathing pulse detonation engine in supersonic flight at various altitudes

Abstract

The main thrust characteristics, such as thrust force, specific impulse, specific fuel consumption, and specific thrust, of a pulse detonation engine (PDE) with an air intake and nozzle in conditions of flight at a Mach number of 3 and various altitudes (from 8 to 28 km above sea level) are for the first time calculated with consideration given to the physicochemical characteristics of the oxidation and combustion of hydro-carbon fuel (propane), finite time of turbulent flame acceleration, and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). In addition, a parametric analysis of the influence of the operation mode and design parameters of the PDE on its thrust characteristics in flight at a Mach number of 3 and an altitude of 16 km is performed, and the characteristics of engines with direct initiation of detonation and fast deflagration are compared. It is shown that a PDE of this design greatly exceeds an ideal ramjet engine in specific thrust, whereas regarding the specific impulse and specific fuel consumption, it is not inferior to the ideal ramjet.