Session: 04-23 Pressure Gain Combustion II

Paper Number: 153932

Influence of Mesh Parameters and Turbulence-Chemistry Interactions on Wave Mode Prediction in Rotating Detonation Engines 

Rotating detonation engine (RDE) is a technology that provides a detonation based quasi-steady source of thrust and potential higher thermal efficiency. RDEs can possess single or multi-wave modes depending on a variety of factors including fuel / air mass flow rates, equivalence ratios, fuel reactivity, and backpressure. Mode control and prediction are important for propulsive performance and stability. Thus, the authors of the present study have performed full-scale 3D non-premixed reacting flow simulations in ANSYS Fluent to describe multi-wave mode formation in the hydrogen/air AFRL RDE. To describe multi-wave mode formation, mixing time scales, auto-ignition delay times, and primary and  reflected shock pressure profiles are measured close to the injection surface and the injector recovery time is computed. Using these quantities, the influence of fuel-air mixing and the reflected shock wave on secondary wave formation will be described. The impact of turbulence-chemistry interactions on wave modes will be studied and compared to finite rate chemistry without turbulent chemistry interaction by using the partially stirred reactor model and by implementing the aforementioned methodology. Furthermore, the impact of the partially stirred reactor model on deflagrative v/s detonative heat release will also be quantified. The results presented here are relevant for researchers aiming to study mode control in RDEs.

Presenting Author: Shrikar Banagiri Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Presenting Author Biography: Shrikar Banagiri is a PhD candidate at the Virginia Tech working with Prof. Joe Meadows

Authors:

Shrikar Banagiri Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Piyush Raj Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Joseph Meadows Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University