The subject of this paper is the experimental study of detonation wave phenomenon conducted at the University of Texas at Arlington. This study was conducted to gain a basic understanding of the physical mechanisms governing the evolution of detonation waves in order to develop an operational Pulse Detonation Engine. The study was conducted in a simple cylindrical test chamber where several parameters could bc varied. These parameters were the length to diameter ratio, ignition location, ignition energy, initial pressures, types of fuels and tnrhulence quality. The detonation characteristics examined were the detonation wave velocities and pressures. It was observed that the turbulent creating devices and high initial pressures were instrumental in achieving Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocities. It was also observed that detonations were achieved in all of the tests, but the velocities of the detonations were considerably lower than the velocities predicted by theory. Based on these results it was concluded that fuel and oxidizer mixing is the most important factor in achieving a Chapman-Jouguet detonation.-* Tlns material is based in part upon work supported by the Texas Advanced Technology Program under Grant No. 003656-056. Theory of Operation Student Member Member 5 Associate Fellow In theory a Pulse Detonation Engine would operate by filling a chamber with a fuel and oxidizer Copyright C3 1995 by the American Institute of Aeronautics combination, detonating the mixture and then and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. refilling the chamber once the exhaust products are 1
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.