Transverse waves in detonations. I - Spacing in the hydrogen-oxygensystem.

Abstract

Transverse wave spacings have been measured in self-sustaini ng detonations in hydrogenoxygen-dilutent mixtures. These spacings have been compared to theoretical spacings calculated using a realistic reaction model, the correct caloric equation of state, and the BarthelStrehlow acoustic theory. Theoretical spacings are found to lie a factor of 30 to 180 below the experimentally measured spacings, even though there is a rough parallelism between theory and measurements in systems of fixed composition as the initial pressure and temperature are altered. These results indicate that an acoustic mechanism does not control the spacing observed in self-sustaining detonations. They do indicate, however, that a characteristic chemical dimension is related to the spacing even though a mechanism for this interrelationship has not been found at the present time.