Pressure gain combustion concepts, including pulsed detonation engines (PDE) are a potentially revolutionary technology which utilize pressure rise from the combustion process to produce momentum and/or pressure. Recent research at the Pulsed Detonation Research Facility at Wright-Patterson AFB has advanced the state-of-the-art through computational and experimental studies utilizing several in-house developed codes and research engines. Areas of work include combustion/detonation initiation, fuel injection, controls, materials, power extraction, heat transfer, nozzles, ejectors, hybrid detonation/turbine engines, rotary/continuous detonation concepts, valving, acoustics, emissions, and diagnostics. A wide variety of research opportunities are available utilizing the unique detonation research facilities, high-speed instrumentation (up to 5 Mhz per channel), high-speed imaging (up to 1,000,000 fps), laser diagnostics, computational tools, and research engines. Recent research projects have included plasma initiation studies and regenerative endothermic fuel cooling.

 

Reference

Helfrich TM, et al: Journal of Propulsion and Power 23: 2007

 

Keywords:

Pressure gain combustion; Detonation combustion; Pulse detonation engine; Wave rotor combustion; Hybrid turbine; Laser diagnostics;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants