Numerical investigation of the physics of rotating-detonation-engines

Rotating-detonation-engines (RDE’s) represent an alternative to the extensively studied pulse-detonation-engines (PDE’s) for obtaining propulsion from the high efficiency detonation cycle. Since it has received considerably less attention, the general flow-field and effect of parameters such as stagnation conditions and back pressure on performance are less well understood than for PDE’s. In this article we describe results from time-accurate calculations of RDE’s using algorithms that have successfully been used for PDE simulations previously. Results are obtained for stoichiometric hydrogen–air RDE’s operating at a range of stagnation pressures and back pressures. Conditions within the chamber are described as well as inlet and outlet conditions and integrated quantities such as total mass flow, force, and specific impulse. Further computations examine the role of inlet stagnation pressure and back pressure on detonation characteristics and engine performance. The pressure ratio is varied between 2.5 and 20 by varying both stagnation and back pressure to isolate controlling factors for the detonation and performance characteristics. It is found that the detonation wave height and mass flow rate are determined primarily by the stagnation pressure, whereas overall performance is closely tied to pressure ratio. Specific impulses are calculated for all cases and range from 2872 to 5511 s, and are lowest for pressure ratios below 4. The reason for performance loss is shown to be associated with the secondary shock wave structure that sets up in the expansion portion of the RDE, which strongly effects the flow at low pressure ratios. Expansion to supersonic flow behind the detonation front in RDE’s with higher pressure ratios isolate the detonation section of the RDE and thus limit the effect of back pressure on the detonation characteristics.