Numerical research on the formation of cellular structures on oblique detonation surfaces

Cellular structures on the detonation surfaces derive from the shock and combustion coupling, which generate the transverse waves behind the leading shock. These structures have been studied widely in the normal detonation, but not in the oblique detonation, whose structures are more complicated. Euler equations with one-step chemical reaction model are solved to simulate the oblique detonations, and the effects of activation energy and wedge angle are studied. Numerical results demonstrate that there are two types of cellular structures, one is characterized by one group transverse waves, and the other is characterized by one additional group transverse waves with opposite direction. This study illustrates the formation of post-detonation unreactive pockets in the oblique detonation for the first time. Statistical analysis on the cellular structure is carried out to observe quantitatively the influences of activation energy and wedge angle, which provides the method to predict the structure of oblique detonation.