Rotating detonation engine

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A prototype RDE under test at the Marshall Space Flight Centre

A rotating detonation engine (RDE) uses a form of pressure gain combustion, where one or more detonations continuously travel around an annular channel. Computational simulations and experimental results have shown that the RDE has potential in transport and other applications.[1][2]

In detonative combustion, the flame front expands at supersonic speed. It is theoretically more efficient than conventional deflagrative combustion by as much as 25%.[3] Such an efficiency gain would provide major fuel savings.[4][5]

Disadvantages include instability and noise.

Concept[edit]

The basic concept of an RDE is a detonation wave that travels around a circular channel (annulus). Fuel and oxidizer are injected into the channel, normally through small holes or slits. A detonation is initiated in the fuel/oxidizer mixture by some form of igniter. After the engine is started, the detonations are self-sustaining. One detonation ignites the fuel/oxidizer mixture, which releases the energy necessary to sustain the detonation. The combustion products expand out of the channel and are pushed out of the channel by the incoming fuel and oxidizer.[2]

Although the RDE's design is similar to the pulse detonation engine (PDE), the RDE is superior because the waves cycle around the chamber, while the PDE requires the chambers to be purged after each pulse.[6]

Development[edit]

Several organizations work on RDEs.

General Electric[edit]

In 2023 GE demonstrated a subscale laboratory turbine based combined cycle (TBCC) system that combined a Mach 2.5-class turbofan paired with a rotating detonation-dual-mode ramjet (RD-DMRJ). The test came 18 months after program launch. The company reported rotating detonations of a compressed fuel-air mixture in the presence of the supersonic airflow necessary for speeds above Mach 5.[7]

DARPA[edit]

DARPA is working with RTX on Gambit, researching the application of rotating detonation engines for supersonic air-launched standoff missiles.[8][9] DARPA is also working with Venus Aerospace which successfully tested its RDRE engine in March 2024.[10]

US Navy[edit]

The US Navy has been pushing development.[11] Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have a particular interest in the capability of detonation engines such as the RDE to reduce the fuel consumption of their ships.[12][11] Several obstacles must still be overcome in order to use the RDE in the field. As of 2012, NRL researchers were focusing on better understanding how the RDE works.[13]

Aerojet Rocketdyne[edit]

Since 2010, Aerojet Rocketdyne has conducted over 520 tests of multiple configurations.[14]

NASA[edit]

Daniel Paxson[15] at the Glenn Research Center used simulations in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess the RDE's detonation frame of reference and compare performance with the PDE.[16] He found that an RDE can perform at least on the same level as a PDE. Furthermore, he found that RDE performance can be directly compared to the PDE as their performance was essentially the same.

On January 25, 2023, NASA reported successfully testing its first full-scale rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE). This engine produced 4,000 lbf (18 kN) of thrust. NASA has stated their intention to create a 10,000-pound-force (44 kN) thrust unit as the next research step.[17] On December 20, 2023, a full-scale Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine combustor was reportedly fired for 251 seconds, achieving more than 5,800-pound-force (26 kN) of thrust. Test stand video captured at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama USA, demonstrated ignition.[18]

Energomash[edit]

According to Russian Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, in mid-January 2018 NPO Energomash company completed the initial test phase of a 2-ton class liquid propellant RDE and plans to develop larger models for use in space launch vehicles.[19]

Purdue University[edit]

In May 2016, a team of researchers affiliated with the US Air Force developed a rotating detonation rocket engine operating with liquid oxygen and natural gas as propellants.[20] Additional RDE testing was conducted at Purdue University, including a test article called "Detonation Rig for Optical, Non-intrusive Experimental measurements (DRONE)", an "unwrapped" semi-bounded, linear detonation channel experiment.[21] IN Space LLC, in a contract with the US Air Force, tested a 22,000 N (4,900 lbf) thrust rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) while testing with liquid oxygen and gaseous methane at Purdue University in 2021.[22]

University of Central Florida[edit]

In May 2020, a team of engineering researchers affiliated with the US Air Force claimed to have developed a highly experimental working model rotating detonation engine capable of producing 200 lbf (890 N) of thrust operating on a hydrogen/oxygen fuel mix.[23]

JAXA[edit]

On July 26, 2021 (UTC), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) succeeded in testing the RDE in space for the first time in the world by launching the S-520-31 sounding rocket equipped with a 500 N class RDE in the second stage.[24]

Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation[edit]

On September 15, 2021, the Warsaw Institute of Aviation performed the first successful flight test of an experimental rocket powered by a rotating detonation rocket engine, powered by liquid propellants. The test took place on September 15, 2021, at the testing ground of the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Zielonka near Warsaw in Poland. The rocket engine, according to the plan, worked for 3.2 s, accelerating the rocket to a speed of about 90 m/s, which allowed the rocket to reach an altitude of 450 m.[25]

Beijing Power Machinery Institute[edit]

In 2023 researchers announced a demonstration unit of a hybrid air-breathing engine. It combines a continuous RDE for propulsion at below Mach 7 with an oblique detonation engine for use at speeds up to Mach 16. The oblique detonation waves are stationary and stabilized. BPMI is China’s leading ramjet manufacturer.[26]

Chongqing University Industrial Technology Research Institute/Thrust-to-Weight Ratio Engine[edit]

Earlier in 2023, China achieved the world’s first RDE drone flight. The drone successfully flew at an undisclosed airfield in Gansu province. The FB-1 Rotating Detonation Engine was developed jointly by Chongqing University Industrial Technology Research Institute and private company Thrust-to-Weight Ratio Engine (TWR).[26]

Other research[edit]

Other experiments have used numerical procedures to better understand the flow-field of the RDE.[27] In 2020, a study from the University of Washington explored an experimental device that allowed control of parameters such as the width of the annulus. Using a high-speed camera, researchers were able to view it operating in extreme slow motion. Based on that they developed a mathematical model to describe the process.[28]

In 2021, the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, successfully tested the world's first hypersonic detonation wave engine powered by kerosene, which could propel a plane at Mach 9.[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lu, Frank; Braun, Eric (7 July 2014). "Rotating Detonation Wave Propulsion: Experimental Challenges, Modelling, and Engine Concepts". Journal of Propulsion and Power. 30 (5). The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: 1125–1142. doi:10.2514/1.B34802. S2CID 73520772.
  2. ^ a b Wolanski, Piotr (2013). "Detonative Propulsion". Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 34 (1): 125–158. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2012.10.005.
  3. ^ Птичкин, Сергей (2018-01-18). "В России испытали модель детонационного двигателя для ракет будущего". Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  4. ^ Cao, Huan; Wilson, Donald (2013). "Parametric Cycle Analysis of Continuous Rotating Detonation Ejector-Augmented Rocket Engine". 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference. doi:10.2514/6.2013-3971. ISBN 978-1-62410-222-6.
  5. ^ Schwer, Douglas; Kailasanath, Kailas (25 September 2010). "Numerical Investigation of the Physics of Rotating Detonation Engines". Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 33 (2). Elsevier, Inc.: 2195–2202. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2010.07.050.
  6. ^ Fernelius, Mark; Elia, Shareil; Musielak, Dora E. "Pressure Gain Combustion Program Committee - Resources". AIAA Pressure Gain Combustion Program Committee. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  7. ^ Trimble, Steve (December 19, 2023). "Rotating Detonation Sparks GE Path To Hypersonic Future | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  8. ^ Salvatore, Buccellato. "Gambit". darpa.mil. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  9. ^ "RTX to develop rotating detonation engine for DARPA". Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  10. ^ Szondy, David (March 11, 2024). "Video: Hypersonic rotating detonation engine in sustained test burn". New Atlas. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  11. ^ a b Threewitt, Cherise (2013-03-08). "How the Rotating Detonation Engine Works". HowStuffWorks.
  12. ^ Niemeyer, Kyle (2012-11-06). "US Navy developing rotating detonation engine". Physics Today. doi:10.1063/PT.5.026505. ISSN 0031-9228.[dead link]
  13. ^ McKinney, Donna. "Navy Researchers Look to Rotating Detonation Engines to Power the Future". U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  14. ^ Claflin, Scott; et al. "Recent Advances in Power Cycles Using Rotating Detonation Engines with Subcritical and Supercritical CO2" (PDF). Southwest Research Institute. S2CID 161054165. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Daniel E. Paxson - Controls and Dynamics Branch Personnel". www.grc.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on 1999-08-23. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  16. ^ "UCSB Full Bib - External Link". pegasus.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-09.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ Osorio, Ray (25 January 2023). "NASA Validates Revolutionary Propulsion Design for Deep Space Missions". www.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  18. ^ Osorio, Raymond J (20 December 2023). "NASA's 3D-printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Test". www.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  19. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-12-22.[dead link]
  20. ^ Purdue LOX/NG RDE - HotFire on YouTube
  21. ^ Slabaugh, Carson (2018). "Advancing Pressure Gain Combustion in Terrestrial Turbine Systems" (PDF). netl.doe.gov. Department of Energy. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  22. ^ "ROTATING DETONATION ROCKET ENGINES (RDRE)". afresearchlab.com. Air Force Research Laboratory. 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  23. ^ Blain, Loz (5 May 2020). "World-first "impossible" rotating detonation engine fires up". New Atlas. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  24. ^ Spînu, Florina (19 August 2021). "Japan Tests Explosion-Powered Rocket for the First Time in Space, Is a Success".
  25. ^ Poland launched a rocket powered by a detonation engine, retrieved 2021-10-07
  26. ^ a b Wang, Brian (2023-12-29). "China Makes Most Powerful Detonation Engine for Hypersonic Flight | NextBigFuture.com". Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  27. ^ Schwer, Douglas; Kailasanath, Kailas (2011-01-01). "Numerical investigation of the physics of rotating-detonation-engines". Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 33 (2): 2195–2202. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2010.07.050.
  28. ^ Strickler, Jordan (February 19, 2020). "New detonating engine could make space travel faster and cheaper". ZME Science. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  29. ^ Tamim, Baba (November 20, 2022). "China claims 'world's first' kerosene-powered engine could propel jets nine times the speed of sound".

External links[edit]

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