Flow acceleration in an RDRE with gradual chamber constriction

Rotating detonation propulsion technologies have the potential to create highly efficient engines in a small form factor. However, the detonation dynamics and complex flowfields inside the combustion chamber are greatly dependent on geometry; in particular, the downstream nozzle design affects dynamics inside the combustion chamber. In this work, three-dimensional large eddy simulations of a gaseous methane–oxygen rotating detonation rocket engine are presented for two geometries. The geometries match experimental tests previously conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory and are chosen to compare engine operation with and without a converging–diverging nozzle. It is shown that flow in the unconstricted chamber exceeds Mach 1 behind the generated oblique shock structure, but that the addition of a 4.4\(^\circ \) converging section results in supersonic flow existing only in the diverging section of the nozzle. The formation enthalpy of the flow is calculated inside the chamber and demonstrates that the difference in pressures and detonation structures associated with the chamber area constriction do not result in a significant change in energy released through combustion.