Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) are a potentially revolutionary technology which utilize detonative combustion to rapidly combust fuel in a small volume. This rapid combustion process also has the potential to increase the stagnation pressure across the combustor, resulting in net pressure gain during the heat addition portion of the thermodynamic cycle. The Air Force Research Laboratory is working on advancing the state-of-the-art in RDE technology. Due to the complex aerodynamic and thermal environment in these devices, foundational work is required to understand the physics behind how RDEs operate to optimize them for practical applications. A wide variety of research problems are available to study using state-of-the-art instrumentation, diagnostics, and computational tools. Possible areas to study are detonation fundamentals, inlets, ejectors, nozzles, materials, and heat transfer on air breathing RDEs. Recent research projects have included new RDE geometries, high-speed imaging of RDE flow fields, and advanced material tests.

Reference: Fotia ML, et al: Journal of Propulsion and Power 32: 2016

Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited. PA# AFRL-2024-3115

key words

rotating detonation engine; detonation combustion; pressure gain combustion; laser diagnostics; high-speed imaging; ramjets; augmentors

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