Homogeneous-dilution model of partially fueled simplified pulse detonation engines

A model for estimating the propulsive performance of a partially fueled simplified pulse detonation engine is proposed. The model has two significant advantages: no empirical parameter is required, and the model enables estimation of both the impulse and the duration during which the pressure at the thrust wall remains higher than its initial value. In the model, an objective partially fueled pulse detonation engine is replaced with the equivalent fully fueled pulse detonation engine. The equivalent pulse detonation engine is fully filled with a homogeneous mixture of the detonable and inert gases that separately fill the objective partially fueled pulse detonation engine. The performances of the equivalent fully fueled pulse detonation engine are instead estimated by a previously developed performance-estimation model for a fully fueled pulse detonation engine. The applicability of the model is examined by comparing the results of the model with numerical and experimental results in the cases where hydrogen or ethylene was used as fuel. Further, the applicability limits, which arose from replacement of the objective partially fueled pulse detonation engine with the equivalent fully fueled pulse detonation engine, are described.