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Mach reflection in detonations propagating through a gas with a concentration gradient

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Abstract

In accident scenarios where detonations can occur a concentration gradient constitutes a more realistic initial condition than a perfectly homogeneous mixture. In this paper, the influence of a concentration gradient on detonation front shape, detonation instabilities and pressure distribution is studied. First, a simple method to determine the front shape from a given fuel distribution is presented. It is based on Huygens’ principle and includes a correction to satisfy the boundary conditions on the enclosing walls. Next, the presented highly resolved Euler computations demonstrate the influence of a concentration gradient on detonation instabilities. In configurations with a strong concentration gradient, Mach reflection occurs and leads to an asymmetric pressure load on the enclosing geometry. In this case, the impulse on the wall is higher than in configurations with homogeneous fuel distribution, although the fuel content is much lower.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik, Technische Universität München, 85747, Garching, Germany

    F. Ettner, K. G. Vollmer & T. Sattelmayer

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  1. F. Ettner
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  2. K. G. Vollmer
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  3. T. Sattelmayer
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Correspondence to F. Ettner.

Additional information

Communicated by L. Bauwens.

This paper is based on work that was presented at the 23rd International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems, Irvine, California, USA, 24–29 July 2011.

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Ettner, F., Vollmer, K.G. & Sattelmayer, T. Mach reflection in detonations propagating through a gas with a concentration gradient. Shock Waves 23, 201–206 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-012-0385-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-012-0385-8

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