Durability of Detonation Wave Through Suppressions in a 6-inch Rotating Detonation Engine

This study investigated the sustainability and survivability of a detonation wave in a nominal six-inch rotating detonation engine (RDE) and measured the corresponding detonation wave velocity. Wave velocity and detonation stability were assessed by introducing controlled mass flows of inert gases. The experimental test utilized inert gas (nitrogen) through an eighth section of the fuel injector. The mass flow of the inert gas was precisely metered to enable systematic variation in test conditions. Additional tests were conducted by selectively plugging every nth number of injector holes. Furthermore, the experimental configuration permitted internal hardware modifications to alter the area ratio between the air injector and the combustion chamber. The results of this investigation provided critical insights into the influence of injector configuration and mass flow rate on detonation stability, thereby informing future developments in rotating detonation engine design and sustainability.