Ignition energy effect on detonation initiation by single and two successive ignitions

Abstract

In order to investigate the influence of two successive ignitions on the detonation initiation characteristics, the processes of detonation initiation by one ignition and two successive ignitions with different ignition energy and ignition time interval were simulated numerically. Stoichiometric propane-air mixture was used as the fuel-oxidizer. The simulation and analysis results indicated that a detonation wave could not be initiated in the smooth tube by single ignition with the current ignition energy range of no more than 10000 J, while a detonation wave was initiated successfully by two successive ignitions with a certain range of ignition time interval, even when the ignition energy of each ignition decreased to 100 J. As the ignition energy decreased, the range of ignition time interval in which the detonation wave could be initiated successfully decreased, while the time and distance of detonation initiation increased.