Dynamics of detonation transmission and propagation in a curved chamber: a numerical and experimental analysis

The dynamics of detonation transmission from a straight channel into curved chamber was investigated numerically and experimentally as function initial pressure (10 kPa ? p0 26 kPa) in an argon diluted stoichiometric H2–O2 mixture. Numerical simulations considered the two-dimensional reactive Euler equations with detailed chemistry; hi-speed schlieren OH* chemiluminescense were used for flow visualization. Results show rotating Mach along outer wall highly transient sequence events (i.e. diffraction, re-initiation attempts wave reflections) that precedes its formation. An increase pressure, 15 to kPa, expectedly resulted detonations are less sensitive diffraction. decoupling location reaction zone leading shock inner determined where transition regular reflection rather complex structure occurred wall. This includes (stem), incident decoupled shock-reaction region, transverse propagates pre-shocked For lower pressures, i.e. 10 fails shortly after ignition. However, interaction section results initiation behind inert stem. Thereafter, evolution similar case. Simulations experiments qualitatively quantitatively agree indicating global this configuration is mostly driven by geometry not cellular compressed regions.