SPECIFIC IMPULSES FOR CONTINUOUS DETONATION OF METHANE/HYDROGEN-AIR MIXTURES

Regimes of continuous spin detonation (CSD) with transverse detonation waves (TDWs) are obtained in a flow-type annular cylindrical combustor DK-500 for fuel-air mixtures (FAMs) with two compositions of the binary fuel CH4 + 8H2 and CH4 +4H2. Regimes of continuous multifront detonation (CMD) with colliding TDWs are obtained for the FAM with the CH4 + 2H2 binary fuel. These regimes are characterized by significant irregularity of the TDW structure and by a comparatively low TDW velocity. Specific impulses in continuous detonation are determined and analyzed for different compositions of the methane/hydrogen binary fuel. The maximum measured values of the specific impulse at the combustor exit are approximately 3800 s in CSD of CH4 + 8H2 and CH4 + 4H2, 3200 s in CMD of CH4 + 2H2, and 1600 s in combustion of CH4 + H2.

MHD effects in continuous spin detonation

Conversion possibility of the chemical energy of combustion products of a hydrogen–oxygen mixture into electrical energy with the use of continuous spin detonation has been demonstrated for the first time in an MHD system. The specific conductivity of detonation products in the region of rotation of the detonation front was measured to be ~3 · 10–2 Ω–1 m–1. The structure of transverse detonation waves was examined, their velocity was measured (2220 ± 50 m/s), and the flow in their vicinity was studied.