Overview of Performance, Application, and Analysis of Rotating Detonation Engine Technologies

Recent accomplishments related to the performance, application, and analysis of rotating detonation engine technologies are discussed. The pioneering development of optically accessible rotating detonation engines coupled with the application of established diagnostic techniques is enabling a new research direction. In particular, chemiluminescence images of detonations propagating through the annular channel of a rotating detonation engine are reported and appear remarkably similar to computational fluid dynamic results of rotating detonation engines published in the literature. Specific impulse measurements of rotating detonation engines and pulsed detonation engines are shown to be quantitatively similar for engines operating on hydrogen/air and ethylene/air mixtures. The encouraging results indicate that rotating detonation engines are capable of producing thrust with fuel efficiencies that are similar to those associated with pulsed detonation engines while operating on gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. A rotating detonation engine is coupled with a turboshaft engine for the first time. The performance of the rotating detonation engine gas turbine engine is similar to or better than that of the conventional gas turbine engine across a broad range of operating conditions. Realizing the advantages of pressure gain combustion in rotating detonation engines is enabling new combustion system design opportunities and supporting the development of efficient and sustainable power and propulsion technologies.