Researchers from China report the creation of the world's first hypersonic detonation engine,
The detonation engine can run moreefficient and powerful than other hypersonic engines. The detonation wave causes a series of explosions that occur almost instantly and release significantly more energy than normal combustion with the same amount of fuel, especially at speeds above Mach 8, the scientists note.
Traditionally in such engines as fuelhydrogen fuel is used. The researchers have demonstrated that their device can reach high speeds when running on regular aviation kerosene.
Test pipe JF-12. Image: Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Scientists have long been working on creating suchtechnologies. The problem is that kerosene burns more slowly than hydrogen, so engines running on this type of fuel require a longer detonation chamber to hold the fuel-air mixture longer. According to estimates, the length of the chamber for kerosene exceeds the hydrogen chamber by 10 times.
Chinese scientists have found that a simplea modification—adding a thumbnail-sized protrusion to the surface of the engine air intake—can make it easier to ignite the kerosene while keeping the chamber small.
When fresh air enters the narrow neckwedge-shaped air intake of the engine, fast-moving air molecules are compressed and heated, the scientists explain. The hot air then mixes with tiny droplets of kerosene, which break down into even smaller molecules. When the mixture of air and fuel hits a ridge on the smooth surface of the intake port, shock waves are generated.
The creation of hypersonic engines running on kerosene will significantly reduce the cost and safety of flights, the authors of the development conclude.
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