Computational fluid dynamics simulation of detonation wave propagation in modified pulse detonation combustor

Abstract

In this paper effect of Schelkin spiral material on thermal load and detonation combustion wave propagation in pulse detonation combustor has been simulated. As detonation combustion is supersonic combustion process and energy release rate is very high. In this regards present researches are focusing on flame acceleration process to reduce the DDT run up length. Hence the Schelkin spiral is inserted in detonation tube, which creates a bluff body and enhanced the turbulence of flame propagation. During simulation three turbulence models are used to carry out the reliable and repeatable detonation wave in pulse detonation combustor near thin boundary layer of helical shape Shchelkin spiral. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been performed using Ansys fluent platform. The Large Eddy Simulation (LES), detached eddy simulation with realizable k-ε turbulence model and detached eddy simulation with SST k-ω turbulence model are used for reacting flow simulation. From this simulation the LES turbulence model shows better turbulence initiation of detonation wave with velocity magnitude of 3040 m/s in detonation tube compared to other two turbulence models. This velocity is higher than C-J velocity of 1800 m/s. Further computational result shows that deflagration to detonation transition take place at several waves traveling region, in presence of Shchelkin spiral in detonation tube.