University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Theory of direct initiation of gaseous detonations and comparison with experiment

Kasimov, Aslan R.; Stewart, D. Scott

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/239

Description

Title
Theory of direct initiation of gaseous detonations and comparison with experiment
Author(s)
  • Kasimov, Aslan R.
  • Stewart, D. Scott
Issue Date
2004-03
Abstract
In this work we discuss the application of an evolution equation that we have developed for the dynamics of a slowly evolving weakly-curved detonation to a problem of direct detonation initiation. Despite the relative simplicity of the theory, it successfully explains basic features of the initiation process which are observed in experiments and numerical simulations. Moreover, the theory allows one to calculate initiation energies based on the explosive chemical and thermodynamic properties only, without having to invoke significant modeling assumptions. The evolution equation exhibits the competing effects of the exothermic heat release, curvature, and shock acceleration. The detonation dynamics during the initiation depends on the relative strength of the heat release and flow divergence, resulting in successful initiation of self-sustained detonation if the heat release is sufficiently stronger than divergence or in failure if otherwise. Using global kinetic data from Caltech detonation database, which are derived from detailed chemical calculations, we have calculated critical initiation energies of spherical detonation for hydrogen-oxygen, hydrogen-air, and ethylene-air mixtures at various equivalence ratios and found a very good agreement with recent experimental data.
Publisher
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (UIUC)
Series/Report Name or Number
TAM Reports 1043
ISSN
0073-5264
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/239
Copyright and License Information
Copyright owned by Aslan R. Kasimov and D. Scott Stewart

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Technical Reports - Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) PRIMARY
TAM technical reports include manuscripts intended for publication, theses judged to have general interest, notes prepared for short courses, symposia compiled from outstanding undergraduate projects, and reports prepared for research-sponsoring agencies.