Numerical Simulation of Detonation Initiation by the Space-Time Conservation Element and Solution Element Method

This dissertation is focused on the numerical simulation of the detonation initiation process. The space-time Conservation Element and Solution Element (CESE) method, a novel numerical method for time-accurate solutions of nonlinear hyperbolic equations, is extended to model conservation laws with stiff source terms for the detonation initiation process with multiple-step, finite-rate chemistry. The first part of the dissertation illustrates the numerical framework for unsteady chemically reacting flows by incorporating multiple-step, finite-rate chemical mechanisms using the CESE method. One- and two-dimensional solvers have been developed. Extensive code validation and verification are provided for the one- and two-dimensional CESE solvers.;The second part focuses on the numerical investigation of the detonation initiation process. The numerical framework is first applied to the direct initiation of gaseous detonations by a blast wave. One-dimensional cylindrical and spherical direct initiation processes in a hydrogen-oxygen mixture are studied with a twenty-four step chemical reaction model. Structures of unsteady reaction zone are clearly resolved. The competition between heat release rate, front curvature, and unsteadiness is investigated. Detailed wave movements in the detonation wave front show that nonlinear waves play an important role in the reacceleration process and are the key to understanding the detonation failure mechanism. The detonation initiation process by implosion shock is then investigated. Shock focusing and shock interactions in the detonation initiation process are examined. Results show a two-shock implosion system due to the interaction between the reflected primary shock and the imploding contact discontinuity.;Oblique detonation is studied for the code verification and validation of the two-dimensional CESE solvers. Stabilized detonation structures are resolved and the length of the induction zone is compared with point ignition test data. Implosion with polygonal shock fronts is then explored. Similar to the findings in the one-dimensional results, pressure histories in the focal region show multiple implosions.;This Ph.D. study work applies the very accurate and efficient CESE method to study detonation initiation processes. The resultant solvers are state-of-the-art numerical codes that are ready to be applied to time-accurate solutions of detonation initiation processes. This approach provides a new numerical framework for high-fidelity simulations of detonation initiation.