Investigating the fundamentals of liquid-fuelled pulse detonation engines.

The shock tube test programme has shown that detonation initiation is achievable for gaseous fuel-air mixtures with a reflected shock. The presence of a shaped reflecting face enhances combustion initiation significantly. Combustion initiation has been demonstrated for a liquid kerosene-air mixture with a flat reflecting face, suggesting that the presence of a shaped reflecting face will lead to detonation. In addition, the numerical simulation programme has evaluated the fuel-air mixing characteristics of the prototype Pulse Detonation Engine and made recommendations for improvements. The droplet breakup study has demonstrated that a liquid fuel-air mixture suitable for detonation propagation is achievable in the shock tube