The Effect of Chemical Reactivity on the Formation of Gaseous Oblique Detonation Waves

Abstract

High-fidelity numerical simulations using a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based solver are performed to investigate oblique detonations induced by a two-dimensional, semi-infinite wedge using an idealized model with the reactive Euler equations coupled with one-step Arrhenius or two-step induction-reaction kinetics. The novelty of this work lies in the analysis of chemical reaction sensitivity (characterized by the activation energy E a and heat release rate constant k R ) on the two types of oblique detonation formation, namely, the abrupt onset with a multi-wave point and a smooth transition with a curved shock. Scenarios with various inflow Mach number regimes M 0 and wedge angles θ are considered. The conditions for these two formation types are described quantitatively by the obtained boundary curves in M 0 -E a and M 0 -k R spaces. At a low M 0 , the critical E a,cr and k R,cr for the transition are essentially independent of the wedge angle. At a high flow Mach number regime with M 0 above approximately 9.0, the boundary curves for the three wedge angles deviate substantially from each other. The overdrive effect induced by the wedge becomes the dominant factor on the transition type. In the limit of large E a , the flow in the vicinity of the initiation region exhibits more complex features. The effects of the features on the unstable oblique detonation surface are discussed.Aerospace 2019, 6, 62 2 of 17 the conditions and interpret the observed flow field regimes in terms of competing reactions and flow-quenching effects.Alternatively, an oblique detonation wave can be induced by a wedge in an incoming reactive flow [20][21][22]. A standing oblique detonation wave attached to the wedge tip presents a more practical configuration for engine operation [23][24][25]. There has been indeed a remarkable progress in understanding the fundamental aspects of oblique detonation waves induced by a semi-infinite, two-dimensional wedge. Analytical solutions such as wave angles and steady structures as the basic foundation were sought in a number of pioneering works using detonation polar analysis by approximating the ODW as an oblique shock wave (OSW) coupled with an instantaneous post-shock heat release [26][27][28][29]. In later studies, it has been demonstrated that the ODW formation structure induced by the wedge is more complex. In many cases, an oblique shock wave first forms upon the flow interaction with the wedge igniting the combustible flow mixture, and subsequently transits into an oblique detonation wave [30]. Due to the strong coupling sensitivity between fluid dynamics and chemical reactions, as well as the inherent unstable nature of detonation waves [31], it remains technically challenging to establish steady oblique detonations in high-speed combustible mixtures for practical propulsion applications, and such success requires fundamental understanding of the initiation structure of oblique detonation waves. To this end, the dynamics of ODW formation has recently drawn significant research attention...

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