Investigation of flow field characteristics and performance of carbon-hydrogen/oxygen-rich air rotating detonation engine

TL;DR

This study uses numerical simulations to analyze flow field characteristics and performance of a carbon-hydrogen/oxygen-rich air rotating detonation engine, revealing how particle size and fuel ratios influence stability and efficiency.

Contribution

It identifies optimal operational conditions and particle sizes for stable, high-performance two-phase detonation in a rotating detonation engine, advancing understanding of flow dynamics.

Findings

Reducing particle diameter enhances detonation wave speed and pressure gain.

Lowering hydrogen equivalence ratio improves stability and thrust.

Optimal particle diameter is 0.5-1 μm for stable, efficient operation.

Abstract

Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the flow field characteristics and performance of a carbon-hydrogen/oxygen-rich air rotating detonation engine (RDE). Three distinct flow field structures were observed in the gas-solid two-phase RDE. The results show that reducing the hydrogen equivalence ratio and particle diameter both contribute to the transition from gas-phase single-front detonation to gas-solid two-phase double-front detonation and further to gas-solid two-phase single-front detonation. The effects of solid fuel particle diameter and hydrogen equivalence ratio on the flow field characteristics and performance are revealed. The results show that reducing the particle diameter enhances the speed of the two-phase detonation wave, improves the pressure gain in the combustion chamber, and increases the specific impulse. Decreasing the hydrogen equivalence ratio reduces the detonation wave speed, enhances the stability of the detonation flow field, increases the pressure gain in the detonation wave and combustion chamber and boosts thrust. Furthermore, the selection of operational conditions to ensure stable operation and optimal performance of the RDE is discussed. In order to take into account the requirements of stability, pressure gain performance and propulsion performance, two-phase single-front detonation should be realized in gas-solid two-phase RDE, and smaller hydrogen equivalent ratio and appropriate particle diameter should be selected. According to the conclusion of this study, the particle diameter should be 0.5-1 {\mu}m. Under such conditions, the detonation flow field demonstrates good stability, allowing the RDE to achieve higher pressure gain and specific impulse while maintaining stable operation.