Continuous Detonation Combustion of Hydrogen: Results of Wind Tunnel Experiments

Abstract

Combustion tests of a ramjet model 1.05 m long and 0.31 m in diameter with an expanding annular combustor operating in the regime of detonation combustion of hydrogen are described. The tests are performed in a short-duration wind tunnel at free-stream Mach numbers of the incoming air flow from 5 to 8 and stagnation temperature of 290 K. Continuous detonation and longitudinally pulsating regimes of hydrogen combustion with characteristic frequencies of 1250 and 900 Hz, respectively, are observed. The maximum measured values of the fuel-based specific impulse and the thrust generated by the engine are 3600 s and 2200 N, respectively.