Abstract: The relationship between the number of detonation waves and the evolution process of the flow field in a rotating detonation engine was investigated through a numerical analysis. The simulations were based on the Euler equation and a detailed chemical reaction model. In the given engine model, the flow-field evolution became unstable when a single detonation wave was released. New detonation waves formed spontaneously, changing the operational mode from single-wave to four-wave. However, when two or three detonation waves were released, the flow field evolved in a quasi-steady manner. Further study revealed that the newly formed detonation wave resulted from an accelerated chemical reaction on the contact surface between the detonation products and the reactive mixture. To satisfy the stable propagation requirements of detonation waves, we proposed a parameter called NL, which can be compared with the number of detonation waves in the combustor to predict the evolution (quasi-stable or unstable) of the flow field. Finally, we verified the effectiveness of N_L in a redesigned engine. This study may assist the operational mode control in rotating detonation engine experiments.

Key words: Rotating detonation engine; Chemical reaction; Multiple detonation waves; Stability

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