Characterization of the Detonation Wave Structure in a Linearized RDE Combustor Channel*

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) have gained traction as a viable method of pressure gain combustion for both propulsion and power generation applications alike. The challenge of practical RDE designs is the stabilization of the detonation wave as it processes a mixture of fuel and air azimuthally through an annulus. There is limited knowledge on the detailed flow structure from experimental imaging data. To this end, high fidelity numerical simulations have been used to examine the flow field. In this work, the fundamental wave structure of the detonation wave within a linearized RDE with a fully premixed fuel and oxidizer injection scheme is analyzed. The direct numerical simulation of the linearized model detonation engine (LMDE) is compared to experimental results, and wave behavior is correlated to wave structure and flow properties within the reaction zone. Thus, wave characteristics which aid detonability in a three-dimensional domain are discussed. This analysis is performed on hydrogen fuel with both air and oxygen oxidizers at equivalence ratios of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2.