Improving the Stability and Operability of a Small-Scale Rotating Detonation Engine

Author

Nathan T. Fiorino

Date of Award

6-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Frederick R. Schauer, PhD

Abstract

A small scale RDE was designed with a channel diameter of 28 mm and channel gap of 2 mm and operated on nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ethylene (C₂H₄) as the oxidizer and fuel respectively. Changes to the original Jets in Crossflow (JIC) injection scheme and spark plug ignition method were implemented to counteract previously observed wave instabilities. Successful detonation was observed over a range of mass flows (0.035-0.068 kg/s) and equivalence ratios (ɸ = 0.6-1.4) and a stable single wave mode with frequency up to 16.8 kHz was observed for the first time. Injection pressure ratios and fill height were driving parameters in the ignition and operability characteristics observed.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENY-MS-21-J-100

DTIC Accession Number

AD1146500

Recommended Citation

Fiorino, Nathan T., "Improving the Stability and Operability of a Small-Scale Rotating Detonation Engine" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 5067.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/5067