University of New Hampshire -- Detonation Theory Research

[harmon12407]

Hey guys,

I know this post is long, but it might be of interest to some of you...

I'm currently a Mechanical Engineering undergrad at the University of New Hampshire and I'm working on a research proposal to learn more about combustion theory in finite volumes--specifically, the conditions that need to be met to produce detonations.

A bit of background...

I left the forums when spudtech went down a few years ago. For a reference, when I was working on my hybrid, DR had just finished his gen II hybrid system and a 6x mix seemed like a lot! (Its amazing to see the new cannons like Larda's 200x hybrid. The progress that has been made is really quite impressive.)

Around this time, I was inspired by Lucky13's hybrid--not because of the design, but because he proposed that DDT was responsible for the destruction of his cannon. From here, I started researching detonation on my own and became intrigued.

The project:

I am currently working on a proposal to persue research concerning combustion theory in finite volumes. I want to study shock waves and the conditions that are necessary to produce repeatable detonations. Ultimately, I hope that this research will lead me to work with pulse detonation engines.

Implications for the spudding community:

While this research will have applications across a variety of fields, it could also mean great strides in hybrid design. Over the next few years, I hope to pioneer the detonation spudgun which would detonate the fuel mixture instead of deflagrating it. A cannon like this would boast some pretty impressive performance statistics.

How you can help:

My proposal is in the very early stages.. I have begun speaking to my professors trying to find someone that would be interested in this type of research.

I know that there are some people on the forums that have a background in this type of research; I've read posts between D_Hall and Jimmy, for example, which discuss burn rates, flame propogation, etc

I am looking for some insight as to what specifically might be interesting to research concerning detonation and DDT. I need to focus the investigation of my research.

Any ideas?

Comments, suggestions, and criticisms are welcome!

PS. Anybody on the furums also a student at UNH that would be interested in workin on this project too?

[brogdenlaxmiddie]

Sounds like a heap load of fun! Can't wait for some results. Are you going to keep us up to date with the research?

[jimmy101]

Hmmm, there really isn't anybody on this board that is an expert on DDT (or even combustion for that matter, well maybe D_Hall). We discuss it often but I doublt anybody here really understands it at the level needed to help with a real research proposal.

I would suggest reading the existing literature on DDT and pulse detonation engines, there is quite a bit. You then need to figure out what people haven't tried yet. Pressure piling, turbulance, high propensity DDT fuels (like hydrogen), preheating, magnetic and electric field induced compression, etc. have been tried. What's missing? Or, what combination of things hasn't been tried yet?

Good luck, sounds of a heck of a lot of fun if you can get the needed support.

[psycix]

A detonation spudgun may be cool, but because of the shockwaves, your chamber should be very very strong.
And when having such a strong chamber, you could instead just increase mix and run it on deflagration, which will give more pressure.
Detonation may grant the shortest burn time ever, but in spudgunning, it has always been a thing we try to avoid. Maybe we are just scared for the unknown.
Your detonation research may yield very very interesting results, and I would love to see your progress!
I would love to help you on the project, but I have no idea how.
Anyways: Good luck!