Small Scale Detonation Studies: Direct impulse measurements for detonations and deflagrations

Austin, J. M. and Cooper, M. and Jackson, S. and Wintenberger, E. and Shepherd, J. E. and Sturtevant, B. (2000) Small Scale Detonation Studies: Direct impulse measurements for detonations and deflagrations. Technical Report. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA.

Full text available as:

PDF - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.

Abstract

This report is an account of research carried out from January to June 2000 on the feasibility of detonation initiation and impulse generation for small-scale pulse detonation engines. The initial work was focussed on the direct measurement of impulse using the ballistic pendulum technique for single detonations initiated in a tube with one end open to the atmosphere through a thin diaphragm. Three tubes were used: (1) 38-mm diameter by 1.5 m long. (2) 75-mm diameter by 0.6 m long. (3) 75-mm diameter by 1 m long. At the closed end of the tube, combustion was initiated by a low energy, less than 50 mJ, capacitor discharge system. A fast flame or detonation was created by transition to detonation. The effect of spirals and orifice plates was examined on propane- and ethylene-oxygen-nitrogen mixtures with varying initial pressure, equivalence ratio, and dilution amounts. A simple model for the impulse in prompt detonations was developed and calibrated. The results of our experiments were compared with this model.

EPrint Type:	Monograph (Technical Report)
Additional Information:	Explosion Dynamics Laboratory Report FM00-5. Prepared for General Electric, contract GE - PO A02 81655 under DABT-63-0-0001
Subjects:	All Records
ID Code:	30
Deposited By:	Caltech Library System
Deposited On:	25 May 2005
Record Number:	CaltechGALCITFM:2000.005
Official Persistent URL:	http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechGALCITFM:2000.005
Usage Policy:	You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format.

Archive Staff Only: edit this record