A Three-Dimensional Numerical Study of Rotational Detonation in an Annular Chamber

Abstract

Detonation waves successively rotating in an annular chamber are numerically investigated to understand an overall ∞owfleld structure in the combustion chamber of an engine and its basic operation with a continuous fuel injection. This study leads to further investigation into continuously rotating detonation wave, which is the backbone in developing a rotating detonation-based propulsion system. A computational code developed is based on multi-dimensional Euler equations with source terms due to chemical reactions. Spatial terms in governing equations are discretized with a flnite volume method and a MUSCLbased Roe scheme, while temporal terms are discretized with a second-order, three-step Runge-Kutta method. Source terms are treated with a time-operator splitting method in order to isolate stifiness. The detonation is modeled with the one-step chemical reaction of a hydrogen and air mixture. A detailed ∞owfleld structure including detonation properties is presented in two- and three-dimensional annular chamber. The propulsive parameters of a rotational detonation engine are evaluated and its comparison of one- and two-waved detonation engine is performed in a three-dimensional chamber.