Analysis of Mixing Efficiency and Detonation Wave Structure during Wave Splitting in a Hydrogen-Fueled Rotating Detonation Engine Combustor

The Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) is a promising alternative to conventional deflagration-based combustion devices. This study examines the mixing efficiency and detonation wave structure in a practical hydrogen-fueled RDE combustor. Our computational setup replicates a previous experimental study, employing Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) simulations with adaptive mesh refinement and detailed chemical kinetics. Initially, a single detonation wave structure at an equivalence ratio of = 1 is observed, consistent with experimental findings. By varying the mass flow rates of fuel and oxidizer while maintaining , the simulation reveals the transition from a single to a double co-rotating detonation wave structure. We comprehensively analyze the reacting flow field during this wave splitting, focusing on the interplay between pressure, heat-release rate, and thermo-chemical quantities. Additionally, we evaluate the spatial variation of the fuel/air mixing process in terms of mixing efficiency, a key metric for non-premixed RDE systems. Finally, we explore the state-space representation of the detonation structure to gain deeper insights into the mixing and combustion processes during wave splitting.