Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator
The deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) is a critical process for achieving reliable ignition in detonation-based propulsion systems, such as Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs). This study experimentally investigates the effect of spatial variations in blockage ratio (BR) on flame accelerati...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Fire |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/263 |
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| author | Yuchang Gil Suhyeong Lee Sangkyu Han Sungwoo Park |
| author_facet | Yuchang Gil Suhyeong Lee Sangkyu Han Sungwoo Park |
| author_sort | Yuchang Gil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) is a critical process for achieving reliable ignition in detonation-based propulsion systems, such as Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs). This study experimentally investigates the effect of spatial variations in blockage ratio (BR) on flame acceleration and detonation onset within a modular pre-detonator. Three DDT device configurations (converging, constant, and diverging) were designed to have an identical average BR of 0.5 and were tested over equivalence ratios ranging from 0.64 to 1.6. High-speed imaging, pressure transducers, and schlieren visualization were employed to characterize flame propagation velocity, pressure evolution, and exit wave structures. The converging configuration consistently promoted earlier detonation onset and higher success rates, especially under fuel-rich conditions (ϕ = 1.6), while the diverging configuration failed to initiate detonation in all cases. Enhanced flame compression in the converging layout led to strong coupling between the shock and reaction fronts, facilitating robust detonation formation. These findings indicate that the spatial distribution of BR, rather than average BR alone, plays a decisive role in DDT performance. This work offers validated design insights for optimizing pre-detonator in RDE applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5659a73929f04b45a5b0b30e65d5e08e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2571-6255 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fire |
| spelling | doaj-art-5659a73929f04b45a5b0b30e65d5e08e2025-08-20T02:45:56ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552025-06-018726310.3390/fire8070263Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-DetonatorYuchang Gil0Suhyeong Lee1Sangkyu Han2Sungwoo Park3Department of Smart Air Mobility, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang-si 10540, Republic of KoreaSchool of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang-si 10540, Republic of KoreaSchool of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang-si 10540, Republic of KoreaSchool of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang-si 10540, Republic of KoreaThe deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) is a critical process for achieving reliable ignition in detonation-based propulsion systems, such as Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs). This study experimentally investigates the effect of spatial variations in blockage ratio (BR) on flame acceleration and detonation onset within a modular pre-detonator. Three DDT device configurations (converging, constant, and diverging) were designed to have an identical average BR of 0.5 and were tested over equivalence ratios ranging from 0.64 to 1.6. High-speed imaging, pressure transducers, and schlieren visualization were employed to characterize flame propagation velocity, pressure evolution, and exit wave structures. The converging configuration consistently promoted earlier detonation onset and higher success rates, especially under fuel-rich conditions (ϕ = 1.6), while the diverging configuration failed to initiate detonation in all cases. Enhanced flame compression in the converging layout led to strong coupling between the shock and reaction fronts, facilitating robust detonation formation. These findings indicate that the spatial distribution of BR, rather than average BR alone, plays a decisive role in DDT performance. This work offers validated design insights for optimizing pre-detonator in RDE applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/263pre-detonatordeflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT)blockage ratio (BR)flame accelerationdetonation onset |
| spellingShingle | Yuchang Gil Suhyeong Lee Sangkyu Han Sungwoo Park Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator Fire pre-detonator deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) blockage ratio (BR) flame acceleration detonation onset |
| title | Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator |
| title_full | Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator |
| title_fullStr | Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator |
| title_short | Impact of a Variable Blockage Ratio on the Detonation Transition in a Pre-Detonator |
| title_sort | impact of a variable blockage ratio on the detonation transition in a pre detonator |
| topic | pre-detonator deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) blockage ratio (BR) flame acceleration detonation onset |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/263 |
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