Detonative Combustion – Science and Technology

Abstract

High-speed propulsion systems in current use are typically based on the deflagrative mode of combustion although thermodynamically the detonative mode of combustion is advantageous in many situations.  Issues with detonative combustion including computing unsteady processes time accurately, large hydrocarbon chemistry and load balancing, initiation physics and dealing with liquid fuels will be addressed.  Recent advances made in fundamental detonation simulations and the compromises needed currently for practical applications will be discussed.  The role of high fidelity computations in evaluating innovative propulsion concepts and resolving large uncertainties will be highlighted.