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Gaseous Detonation Initiation Via Wave Implosion

Citation

Jackson, Scott Irving (2005) Gaseous Detonation Initiation Via Wave Implosion. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/MKP3-VC84. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05242005-151253

Abstract

Efficient detonation initiation is a topic of intense interest to designers of pulse detonation engines. This experimental work is the first to detonate propane-air mixtures with an imploding detonation wave and to detonate a gas mixture with a non-reflected, imploding shock. In order to do this, a unique device has been developed that is capable of generating an imploding toroidal detonation wave inside of a tube from a single ignition point without any obstruction to the tube flow path. As part of this study, an initiator that creates a large-aspect-ratio planar detonation wave in gas-phase explosive from a single ignition point has also been developed.

The effectiveness of our initiation devices has been evaluated. The minimum energy required by the imploding shock for initiation was determined to scale linearly with the induction zone length, indicating the presence of a planar initiation mode. The imploding toroidal detonation initiator was found to be more effective at detonation initiation than the imploding shock initiator, using a comparable energy input to that of current initiator tubes.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:detonation; imploding detonation; imploding shock; initiation; pulse detonation engine; small tube; toroidal
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Minor Option:Geophysics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Shepherd, Joseph E.
Group:GALCIT, Explosion Dynamics Laboratory
Thesis Committee:
  • Hornung, Hans G. (co-chair)
  • Shepherd, Joseph E. (co-chair)
  • Leonard, Anthony
  • Cohen, Donald S.
  • Heaton, Thomas H.
Defense Date:15 April 2005
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05242005-151253
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05242005-151253
DOI:10.7907/MKP3-VC84
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Jackson, Scott Irving0000-0002-6814-3468
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2001
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:24 May 2005
Last Modified:15 Jan 2021 23:30

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