Design Analysis of

Pulse Detonation
Engine
and
Rotating Detonation
Engine

RAVI RAJ
PROJECT REPORT Third Year UG Student
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR.

May to July , 2018

 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the project work titled “Design analysis of Pulse Detonation Engine and Rotating Detonation
Engine” is an authentic record of my own work carried out at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, DRDO
under the guidance of Sri Munesh Kumar Patle, Scientist “E” during May to July, 2018.

RAVI RAJ

15AE10021

Date: ___________________

Certified that the above statement made by the student is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

MR. MUNESH KUMAR PATLE

Sc ‘E’
PDS GROUP

MR. MANMOHAN SANDHU

Sc ‘E’ & DIVISIONAL HEAD
PDS GROUP

MR. SUBHASH CHANDER

Sc ‘F’ & JOINT DIRECTOR
PDS GROUP

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 ACKNOWLEGDEMENT

The submission of this project report gives me an opportunity to convey my gratitude to all those who
have helped me to reach stage from where I have immense confidence to launch my career in the competitive
world of Aerospace Engineering.
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Joint Director of PDS group Mr. Parteek
Kishore, Sc. ‘G’. I would like to acknowledge my hearty thanks to Divisional Head of PDS group Mr.
Manmohan Sandhu, scientist ‘E’ and my project coordinator Mr. Munesh Kumar Patle, scientist ‘E’ for their
guidance and constant supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project. It would
not have been possible without his kind support and attention. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all
the members of Pulse Detonation System (PDS) group.

RAVI RAJ
15AE10021
Third Year UG Student
Aerospace Engineering
IIT Kharagpur.

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 ABSTRACT

A Rotary Wave Detonation Engine (RDE) is a propulsion technology that operates on the principle of the
detonation of a fuel-oxidizer mixture. The thrust produced by the RDE is based on the constant volume heat
addition cycle (Humphrey Cycle) which has a greater thermodynamic efficiency compared to the air breathing
engines (constant pressure Brayton Cycle). The RDE can be used in supersonic flying vehicles. In comparison to
the PDE, the RDE is superior because it operates at very high frequencies (1-10 kHz) hence it offers almost
continuous thrust generation.

In this project, the initiation of the RDE is done by a pre-detonator. The design calculation parameters are defined
for PDE and RDE. 3-D solid models are designed in SolidWorks for both engines and combined models are also
designed. Cold-Flow CFD analysis is also performed in ANSYS FLUENT to verify the feasibility conditions .
The design methodology elaborated in this report can be used for further studies pertaining to Rotary Wave
Detonation Engines.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................3
Company Profile ...........................................................................................................................6
Defence Research & Development Organization .......................................................................6
Vision and Mission................................................................................................................7
Hierarchical position of DRDO.............................................................................................7
Laboratories and Establishments......................................................................................... 8
Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory .................................................................................. 12
Vision, Mission and Charter of Duty................................................................................... 12
Areas of Work .................................................................................................................... 13
Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Detonation .................................................................................................................................... 15
Detonation vs Deflagration--------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Types of Detonation Engine------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18
Pulsed Detonation Engine------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
PDE Cycle ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22
Initiation of Detonation---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
DDT Devices---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Sub-Components of PDE-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Scaling of PDE-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
3D Structure of Detonation wave and cell size-------------------------------------------------- 30
Fuel Selection for PDE----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
Detonation Parameters------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34
Design Calculation for PDE------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35

Rotary Wave Detonation Engine ............................................................................................... 36

Working of RDE-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
Rotating Detonation Wave Structure ................................................................................... 38
Comparison between RDE and PDE.................................................................................... 40
Detonation Engine Design Concepts.................................................................................... 41
Fuel/Oxidizer Ratio ......................................................................................................... 41
Detonation Cell Size ........................................................................................................ 42
Detonation Velocity--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
Detonation Parameters of RDE------------------------------------------------------------------------46

Design Calculation of RDE-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

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Project Work Involved----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51

Ansys Analysis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------53
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................57
Future Prospects .........................................................................................................................58
Appendix A ..................................................................................................................................59
Appendix B ..................................................................................................................................64
References ....................................................................................................................................65

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 COMPANY PROFILE

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

Before India became an independent nation in 1947, the defence of the country was the responsibility of the
Defence Department (under the British rule). Soon after India became independent, the Defence Department
became the Ministry of Defence, headed by a Minister of the Cabinet Rank. According to the Constitution of
India, the President of India is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and executive responsibility for
national defence rests with the Union Cabinet of which Defence Minister is an important member.

DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development
Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP)
with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or
laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number
of laboratories, achievements and stature.
Today, DRDO is a network of more than 50 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence
technologies covering various disciplines, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering
systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life
sciences, training, information systems and agriculture. Presently, the Organisation is backed by over 5000
scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. Several major projects for the
development of missiles, armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand
and significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is an agency of the Republic of India, responsible
for the development of technology for use by the military; headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Prof. DS Kothari, the eminent scientist
and educationist was the first to head the Organization which has been led over the years by illuminati of the
caliber of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Sir S Christopher is the current head of the DRDO.

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 VISION AND MISSION
Vision

Make India prosperous by establishing world class science and technology base and provide our Defence
Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.

Mission

 Design, develop and lead to production state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied
equipment for our Defence Services.
 Provide technological solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-
being of the troops.
 Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.

Hierarchical position of DRDO

DRDO functions as wing of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DD R&D).
Its hierarchical position is shown below:

Fig.1- Organization of Department of Defence

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 Laboratories and Experiments

The 52 DRDO labs, based on their core-competence, are classified into nine clusters, namely, Aeronautics,
Armaments, Combat Vehicles and Engineering, Electronics and Computer Sciences, Materials, Missile
and Strategic Systems, Micro Electronics and Devices, Naval Research and Development, and Life
Sciences.
Devoted to innovation and excellence, DRDO remains committed to make India strong and self-reliant. It
has designed, developed and product ionized world-class weapon systems, equipment, and complex
technologies, which include strategic and tactical missiles, combat aircrafts and aeronautical systems,
unmanned aerial vehicles, combat vehicles, armaments and ammunition, radars, electro-optic and acoustic
sensors, electronic warfare systems, life-support systems and materials.

Fig. 2- DRDO Labs

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Aeronautics

 Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) , Bangalore

 Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) , Bangalore
 Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) , Agra
 Centre For Air Borne System (CABS) , Bangalore
 Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) , Bangalore
 Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) , Bangalore

Fig.3- Aeronautics

Arnaments:

 Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) , Pune

 Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) , Delhi
 High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) , Pune
 Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) , Balasore
 Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) , Chandigarh
 Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM) , Nasik

Fig. 4- Armaments

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Combat Vehicles and Engineering

 Combat Vehicles Research & Development Estt. (CVRDE) , Chennai

 Research & Development Establishment (RDE(E)) , Pune
 Snow & Avalanche Study Estt (SASE) , Chandigarh
 Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) , Ahmednagar

Fig.5 - Combat Vehicles

Electronics & Computer Sciences

 Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR) , Bangalore

 Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL) , Dehradun
 Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) , Hyderabad
 Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL) , Delhi
 Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) , Dehradun
 Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) , Delhi
 Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) , Bangalore
 Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) , Delhi

Human Resource Department

 Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC) , Delhi

 Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) , Pune
 Institute of Technology Management (ITM) , Mussorie

Life Sciences

 Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) , Bangalore

 Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) , Mysore
 Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBER) , Haldwani
 Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) , Leh Ladakh
 Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS) , Delhi
 Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) , Delhi
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  Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE) , Gwalior
 Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) , Tejpur
 Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS) , Delhi

Materials

 Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) , Hyderabad

 Defence Laboratory (DLJ) , Jodhpur
 Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) , Kanpur

MED

 Advanced Numerical Research & Analysis Group (ANURAG) , Hyderabad

 Microwave Tube Research & Development Centre (MTRDC) , Bangalore
 Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) , Delhi
 Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Technology (ASEMIT) , Delhi

Missiles

 Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) , Hyderabad

 Institute for Systems Studies & Analyses (ISSA) , Delhi
 Integrated Test Range (ITR) , Balasore
 Research Centre Imarat (RCI) , Hyderabad

Naval Research & Development

 Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) , Ambernath

 Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) , Cochin
 Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) , Vishakapatnam

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 TERMINAL BALLISTICS RESEARCH LABORATORY

Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) was envisaged in 1961 as

one of the modern armament research laboratories under the Department of
Defence Research & Development. The laboratory became fully operational
in 1967 and was formally inaugurated in January 1968 by the then Defence
Minister. While the main laboratory is situated in Chandigarh, the firing
range, spread over an area of 5500 acres, is located at Ramgarh in Haryana,
22 km away from Chandigarh. Over the past three decades, the Laboratory
has grown into an institution of excellence and has become one of the major
technical bases in the field of armament studies in DRDO.

The laboratory has it’s headquarter at Sector 30, Chandigarh and technical area known as TBRL Ranges, spread
over 5500 acres at Village Ramgarh, Distt. Panchkula, Haryana. TBRL Ranges are divided into a number of
technical zones / trial areas which have been so designed and spaced to allow conduct of experimental trials
independent of each other. Each technical zone has been equipped with highly specialized instruments and
diagnostic facilities, which generate critical inputs for the design and development of warheads and other
armament system. This gives flexibility in operation and permits explosion of high caliber warheads, ammunition
and large explosive charges with adequate safety measures.

The laboratory is certified as per International Quality Management Systems Standard ISO 9001:2008 by
Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Services (STQC), Department of Information Technology
(DIT), Government of India.

VISION, MISSION AND CHARTER OF DUTY

Vision

Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory envisaged self-reliance in the development of the technologies
related to conventional and nonconventional Warhead systems and provide state-of-art diagnostics facilities
for assessment of terminal effects of armament system.
Mission

Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory will strive for self-sufficiency and self-reliance in critical areas for
development of technologies related to conventional and non-conventional weapons and provides facilities
for transient phenomenon studies for development of new armament stores.
Charter of Duty

To conduct basic and applied research work in detonics, energetic materials, blast and damage, defeat of
armour, immunity and lethality, design, development and performance evaluation of armament stores.

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AREAS OF WORK

TBRL conducts basic and applied research in the fields of high explosive, detonics and shock waves. It is
also involved in evolving data and design parameters for new armaments, as well as assessing the terminal
effects of ammunition.

Other areas of work include:

 Performance of armour defeating projectiles and immunity profiles.

 Studies of ground shock, blast damage, fragmentation and lethality.
 Preparation of safety templates for various weapons.
 Studies of underwater detonics and pressure wave propagation.
 Explosive forming, cladding and welding.
 Development, production, processing and characterisation of different high explosive compositions.
 Impact & penetration studies and characterization of materials at high strain rates.
 Technology for generation of high energy electrical pulse power through explosive driven magnetic flux
compression.
 Blast, Lethality and Fragmentation studies of warheads, shells and other ammunitions.
 Captive flight testing of Bombs, Missiles and Airborne systems.
 Ballistics evaluation of various protective system like body armour, vehicle armour and helmets against
small arm ammunition.
 Blast, Lethality and Fragmentation studies of warheads, shells and other ammunitions.
 Captive flight testing of Bombs, Missiles and Airborne systems.
 Ballistics evaluation of various protective system like body armour, vehicle armour and helmets against
small arm ammunition.
 Design and development of Baffle Ranges, Warhead and Exploder for Torpedoes, Bund Blasting Devices,
Multi-mode Hand Grenade, Non-lethal plastic and frangible bullets, High voltage- high energy electrical
power packs.

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INTRODUCTION:

Fig. 6- Specific impulse vs. Mach number regime of various propulsion systems .

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DETONATION

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DETONATION vs DEFLAGRATION:

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Fig.9- Different values of properties in detonation and deflagration.

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Types of Detonation Engine:

PULSE DETONATION ENGINE:

Schematic of a basic pulse detonation engine with valves at the inlet and a nozzle at the exhaust .

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 STANDING DETONATION ENGINE:

Fig.11 – Standing Detonation Engine

ROTATING DETONATION ENGINE:

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PULSED DETONATION ENGINE –

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PDE CYCLE

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Fig.14- The four stages of a PDE cycle.

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 INITIATION OF DETONATION

Direct Initiation

Shock Induced Detonation

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The Pre-detonator Method

Deflagration to Detonation Transition (DDT)

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DDT DEVICES

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Page | 26
Page | 27






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 Scaling the PDE

Frequency Scaling

Area Scaling

Length Scaling

Number of Detonation Chambers

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Three-Dimensional Structure of Detonation Waves and Cell Size

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Fig.18 - Schematic of detonation cells formed within a tube as the detonation wave travels down its length

Fig.19- Detailed schematic illustrating the formation of the diamond pattern by the movement of the triple points

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Table 1- List of cell sizes for various fuel-air mixtures at stoichiometric condition.

Fig.20- A plot of cell size vs. equivalence ratio for various mixtures. The U-shape in the variation of cell size with equivalence ratio is a
common feature for most fuels.

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Fuels Selection for Pulse Detonation Engines

Propane as an ideal fuel

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 

Detonation Parameters
Minimum Tube Diameter

Critical Tube Diameter

Fig.21- A schematic showing the minimum and critical diameters for tubes and ducts.

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DESIGN CALCULATION FOR PDE:-

S.I. Components Theory Calculation Result

No.

λ Λ

Since,
ρfuel = 1.964 kg/m3 ρox=1.42 kg/m3

So, ρmix = (0.167 * 1.964 + 0.833*1.42 ) kg/m3 = 1.51 kg/m3.

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 ROTATING DETONATION ENGINE-

Fig.22- Schematic Diagram of RDE

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 WORKING OF RDE:

Fig.23- Schematic diagram of working of RDE.

Fig.24- Diagram of RDE showing the processes involved.

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Rotating Engine Wave Structure

Fig.25- Diagram (Top View) of the detonation wave in RDE.

Fig.26- Diagram showing the contact surface and shock formed in the chamber.

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Page | 39
 Feature PDE RDE

DDT DEVICE Likely needed unnecessary

PURGING Likely needed

FREQUENCY Less than 100-200 Hz 1-10 kHz

IGNITION One per pulse Once at start

EXHAUST FLOW UNSTEADINESS Yes Reduced

VIBRATION Yes Reduced

ACOUSTICS Noisy

Scalability Yes

Table3 - Comparison between PDE and RDE

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 DETONATION ENGINE DESIGN CONCEPT:

FUEL-OXIDIZER MIXTURE:

Oxidizer Fuel fs
Air H2 0.0029
Air C2H2 0.0754
Air C2H4 0.0677
Air C3H8 0.0638
Air C4H10 0.0647
Oxygen H2 0.1250
Oxygen C2H2 0.3250
Oxygen C2H4 0.5416
Oxygen C3H8 0.2750
Oxygen C4H10 0.2788
Table - Values of stoichiometric ratios for different oxidizer-fuel mixtures

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 ф

Detonation Cell Size (λ)

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 λ

Table4 - Detonation cell size for different fuel-oxidizer mixtures at ф=1

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MIXTURE DENSITY:

To calculate the density of the mixture, the mass fractions for fuel (Xf) and oxidizer (Xox) are used

DETONATION VELOCITY:

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C3H8 + 5O2  3CO2 + 4H2O

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DETONATION PARAMETERS FOR RDE:

Fig.27- Annular Combustion Chamber.

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MEAN CHAMBER PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE

Fig.28- pressure vs time spike graph

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 Fig. 29-Simplified P vs t curve for calculation

Similarly, the procedure is employed for calculating the mean chamber temperature hence

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DESIGN CALCULATION OF RDE

λ Λ

Π∗dc
n∗h

Table 7- Design Calculation of RDE

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 Ucj ∗n 1801∗1∗1000
Π∗dc 𝛱∗1403.75

𝑃𝑐𝑗 /2
tan θ

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 PROJECT WORK INVOLVED:
Since we know that RDE needs a initiation of the detonation wave in the annular chamber for the continuos
flow.
In this project, the initiator used in the RDE is PDE. The detonation wave is generated in the pre-detonator
tube and is then sent to the annular chamber of RDE by some divergence duct having diverging angle of 10
degree.

For the annular chamber of RDE, the detonated wave can be allowed from the pre-detonator in three
different ways:

Axial – The axis of both the PDE and the RDE is same as shown in the figure below.

Fig.30- PDE for axial

Fig.31- RDE

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Normal-

Fig.32- RDE with PDE as normal.

Tangential- The detonated wave from the pre-detonator tube enters the annular chamber tangentially.

Fig.33- RDE with PDE as tangential

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ANSYS ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGNS

The meshing in our designs are:

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Fig.35 - Temperature contours.

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Fig.36- Velocity contours.

Fig.37- Pressure contours.

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Fig.- 38 Entropy Contours.

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CONCLUSION

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 FUTURE PROSPECTS
RDE is quite efficient modern day engine having very high specific impulse and a high frequency of operation.

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 APPENDIX A
CADs
°

Fig.39- Side view of pre-detonator tube and the transition duct

Fig.40 – Side view of the tube that would merge normally on the annular chamber of RDE.

An extrude cut feature used for mating normally with RDE because RDE has curved non-planar surface and so a
planar body cannot mate properly.

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Fig. 41- Isometric view of tube that would mate with the annular chamber of RDE tangentially.

Fig. 42- Side View of RDE Fig.43-Front View of RDE

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Fig.44-isometric view of pre-detonator tube connected axially to annular chamber of RDE

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Fig. 46-Top view of RDE having the pre-detonator tube attached normally.

7.

Fig. 47Isometric View of RDE with the pre-detonator tube connected to it tangentially.

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Fig. 48-Front View of RDE with the pre-detonator tube connected tangentially to it.

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 APPENDIX B

NOMENCLATURES:
 ф = Equivalence Ratio
 λ = Detonation Cell Size [mm]
 a = Total Length of Reaction Zone[mm]
 h = Height of Combustible Mixture Layer [mm]
 h* = Critical Height of Combustible Mixture Layer [mm]
 fs = Stoichiometric Fuel Air Ratio
 q0 = Heat of Reaction [kJ/mol]
 q = Heat of Reaction [kJ/kg]
 D = Detonation Velocity [m/s]
 M = Mach Number
 T= Temperature [K]
 P = Pressure [Pa]
 ρ = Density [kg/m3]
 γ = Ratio of Specific Heats
 dc = Diameter of Combustion Chamber [mm]
 Lm = Length of Combustion chamber [mm]
 Lopt = Optimal Length of Combustion Chamber [mm]
 Pf,inj = Fuel Injection Pressure [Pa]
 Pox,inj = Oxidizer Injection Pressure [Pa]
 Af = Area of Fuel Orifice [mm2]
 Aox = Area of Oxidizer Nozzle [mm2]
 Ucj = Velocity of Gases behind the Detonation Wave [m/s]
 BR=Blockage Ratio
 α =Divergence Angle of Nozzle [deg.]
I. Subscripts
 f = fuel
 ox = oxidizer
 1 = Reactants
 2 = Products
 CJ = Chapman-Jouguet
 mix = mixture
II.Superscript
* = Throat

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 REFERENCES
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.drdo.gov.in
 www.nasa.com
 Journal of Propulsion and power, Vol.30 , (“Rotating Detonation Wave Propulsion”)
 The development and testing of PDE Ground Demonstrators by Philip Koshy Panicker,
University of Texas.
 Thermodynamic Cycle for Detonation Engine by R. Vutthivithayarak, E.M. barun, and F.K. Lu.


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