Ignition-detonation performance of pulse detonation engines

The ignition-detonation performance of two-phase valveless pulse detonation engines (PDEs) with the inner diameters of 50 mm and 120 mm in different operation cases was investigated. To quantify the ignition and detonation-initiation performance, ignition-detonation time was examined, which was defined as the sum of ignition time and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) time. In order to study the effects of ignition energy, operation frequency of PDE, inner diameter of PDE and fuel type on ignition-detonation time and PDE performance, the proof-of-principle experiments of PDEs were carried out. The results indicated that ignition-detonation time decreased with the increase of ignition energy. As operation frequency increased, ignition-detonation time decreased and the effect of ignition energy on ignition-detonation time decreased. Ignition-detonation time increased as PDE diameter increased. Each ignition-detonation time of gasoline-air in a pulse detonation rocket engine (PDRE) was slightly shorter than that of air-breathing PDE at the same operation frequency. Ignition-detonation time of kerosene/air in air-breathing PDE at several operation frequencies was slightly longer than that of gasoline/air.