TRANSITION FROM FAST DEFLAGRATION TO DETONATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PERIODIC LONGITUDINAL PERTURBATIONS

A computational and experimental investigation have been carried out to study deflagration to detonation transition under the influence of periodic longitudinal perturbations. The fast deflagration prior to transition is obtained by suppressing the oscillatory structure of a detonation first. In the one-dimensional computational study, the subsequent re-transition is stimulated using periodic density perturbations. The optimal perturbation period to induce transition is of the order of the rea ction time of the detonation structure. In the experiments, re-transition is stimulated using periodic wire screens placed across the channel. The gas mixture used is 2C(2)H(2)+5O(2)+75%Ar. Laser stroboscopic photography showed the generation of longitudinal pressure waves as the leading shock passes through the wire screens. The interactions of the pressure waves with the leading shock and the reaction zone establish coupling for transition to occur. The computational and experimental studies showed that the time required for transition to take place is dependent on the frequency of the applied perturbation. The present results indicate the need to examine deflagration to detonation transition from the point of view of the formation of an organized oscillatory system.