Structure and dynamics of spray detonation in n-heptane droplet/vapor/air mixtures

Spray detonation in n-heptane droplet / vapour / air mixtures is simulated using Eulerian–Lagrangian method. Two-dimensional configuration is considered, and the effects of droplet diameter and liquid equivalence ratio on detonation propagation, structure, and dynamics are investigated. The results show that the average detonation propagation speed first increases and then decreases as liquid equivalence ratio changes, and the speed peaks at higher liquid equivalence ratio for larger droplets. The triple points / transverse detonations vaporize or aerodynamically expel the droplets from their trajectories, resulting in non-uniform distributions of fuel vapour and reaction zones behind the detonation. In addition, droplet dispersion distance in the post-detonation area increases for larger droplets due to lower evaporation. Moreover, small droplets generally lead to higher detonated n-heptane fraction, and fuel detonative combustion directly affects the variations of detonated fuel fraction. For larger droplets, V-shaped dependence on liquid equivalance ratio is found, dominated by variations of post-detonation deflagration. It is found that spray detonation structure is signifciantly infuenced by liquid fuel equivalance ratio and droplet diameter. The dependence of key locations in spray detonation structure on liquid fuel properties is also evaluated, e.g., reaction front and sonic plane. Furthermore, the leading shock Mach number slightly decreases with droplet size. When the liquid equivalence ratio is high, spray detonation exhibits pronounced unsteadiness, such as instantaneous or complete extinction. Either extinction is caused by strong heat absorption of evaporating droplets behind the shock. Moreover, localized detonative spot is observed due to the compression of multiple transverse shocks.