Numerical Study on the Dynamics and Combustion Process of Two-Phase Kerosene in Rotating Detonation Flow Field

Research on two-phase fuels has advanced significantly in rotating detonation engines. However, the combustion process of liquid-phase fuels involving multiple complex stages like evaporation, mixing, and chemical reactions has not been studied in-depth. In order to investigate the macroscopic physical characteristics and performance of two-phase kerosene rotating detonation, this study employs a two-dimensional numerical simulation to compare the combustion processes and characteristics of gas-phase and two-phase fuels under inhomogeneous conditions. The results demonstrate that for gas-phase fuels, the detonation wave intensity exhibits a negative correlation with the injection total temperature and a positive correlation with the injection total pressure. In contrast, for two-phase fuels, the detonation wave intensity reaches a maximum at an optimal injection total temperature within a specific pressure range. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis is conducted on the diameter variation and spatial distribution of droplets within the flow field. Finally, a concept characterizing the intensity of detonation waves was proposed. This concept can represent thrust to a certain extent and provides the operational range of detonation waves under different fuels. This research provides a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of rotating detonation engines, especially for the application of two-phase fuels.