Detonation engines

In this paper survey of jet engines based on detonation combustion is provided. After short historical view, basic schemes of engines utilizing detonation are described. Possible improvement of propulsion efficiency due to detonative combustion which results in pressure increase is presented and comparison of deflagrative and detonative combustion is discussed. Detailed description of Pulsed Detonation Engines (PDE) as well as Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE) is given. Also basic principle of engine utilizing Standing Detonation is provided. Special attention is given to RDE, since rotating detonation can be applied to all kind of jet engines including, turbine, ramjet and rocket engines. Basic research of rotating detonation in cylindrical chambers for hydrogen-air mixtures is presented. A typical pressure record for experiments carried out in laboratory conditions is given. Schematic diagrams of turbofan engines are compared to classical ones and advantages and disadvantages of application of rotating detonation to these engines is discussed. For ramjet engines, schematic diagram of engine operation is depictured. Special attention is given to the rocket engines utilizing rotating detonation. Experimental research of small models of rockets engines with aerospike nozzle is presented. Test of such engines were carried out for gaseous fuels, such as: hydrogen, methane, ethane and propane with gaseous oxygen. Measurements of pressure and thrust are presented. Finally, possible configuration and applications of combine cycle rocket-ramjet engine utilizing rotating detonation is discussed.