High Fidelity Simulations of Rotating Detonation Combustion : Large Eddy Simulation for Non-Premixed Annular Rotating Detonation Combustors
(2026)- Abstract
- Rotating Detonation Combustors (RDCs) offer a promising alternative to conventional gas turbines by utilising continuous supersonic detonation waves for theoretical pressure-gain combustion, boosting thermal efficiencies significantly. However, developing reliable designs is exceptionally challenging because the extreme combustor environments restrict experimental sensors from capturing sub-microsecond wave mechanics fully. To bridge this gap, this thesis investigates transient flow fields within non-premixed hydrogen-air annular RDCs using a three-dimensional Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES) framework in OpenFOAM. A finiterate chemistry approach with a 22-step mechanism captures stiff chemical kinetics. Models are validated against... (More)
- Rotating Detonation Combustors (RDCs) offer a promising alternative to conventional gas turbines by utilising continuous supersonic detonation waves for theoretical pressure-gain combustion, boosting thermal efficiencies significantly. However, developing reliable designs is exceptionally challenging because the extreme combustor environments restrict experimental sensors from capturing sub-microsecond wave mechanics fully. To bridge this gap, this thesis investigates transient flow fields within non-premixed hydrogen-air annular RDCs using a three-dimensional Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES) framework in OpenFOAM. A finiterate chemistry approach with a 22-step mechanism captures stiff chemical kinetics. Models are validated against US Air Force Research Laboratory and University of Cincinnati hardware; both utilise jets-in-crossflow schemes with roughly axial fuel injection, differing primarily in radial-outwards versus radial-inward air injections.
The ILES framework successfully replicates complex macroscopic wave topologies, including the primary detonation wavefront, oblique shocks, and slip lines. Simulations affirm that the wave acts as a highly rapid valve with the extreme pressures momentarily suppressing reactant injection, creating a highly stratified “refill zone” that continuously interacts with the propagating wave. Furthermore, a distinct thermochemical bifurcation separates high-pressure shock-induced detonation from lower-pressure deflagration. Statistical analyses confirm significant chemical energy is consumed via non-pressure-gain parasitic and commensal deflagration, undermining overall thermodynamic efficiency. While accurately predicting single-wave modes under baseline conditions, the framework over-predicts wave multiplicity (predicting an additional wave) under high-mass-flow or oxygen-enriched environments. This suggests the idealised inflow boundary conditions miss crucial acoustic dampening from the physical feed plenums. Finally, to overcome the analytical bottleneck of massive datasets, this work utilises statistical means including an automated data-driven methodology. The application of k-means clustering and directed network analysis autonomously anatomises flow fields into functional thermodynamic zones, establishing a foundation for an objective “Detonation Quality” metric. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/3f7c95e4-02c9-4b9b-96a5-4dd5db9ca842
- author
- Lim, Yuxiang LU
- supervisor
- opponent
-
- Prof. Bohon, Myles, TU Berlin, Germany.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-05-11
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Computational fluid dynamics, Large eddy simulation, Rotating detonation, Non-premixed, Hydrogen-air
- pages
- 224 pages
- publisher
- Energy Sciences, Lund University
- defense location
- Lecture Hall M:B, building M, Ole Römers väg 1F, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund. The dissertation will be live streamed, but part of the premises is to be excluded from the live stream. Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32511016177642?p=JZREF7b1OyoWfLnNkB
- defense date
- 2026-06-05 10:15:00
- ISSN
- 0282-1990
- ISBN
- 978-91-8104-996-1
- 978-91-8104-997-8
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 3f7c95e4-02c9-4b9b-96a5-4dd5db9ca842
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-11 17:29:57
- date last changed
- 2026-05-12 09:53:35
@phdthesis{3f7c95e4-02c9-4b9b-96a5-4dd5db9ca842,
abstract = {{Rotating Detonation Combustors (RDCs) offer a promising alternative to conventional gas turbines by utilising continuous supersonic detonation waves for theoretical pressure-gain combustion, boosting thermal efficiencies significantly. However, developing reliable designs is exceptionally challenging because the extreme combustor environments restrict experimental sensors from capturing sub-microsecond wave mechanics fully. To bridge this gap, this thesis investigates transient flow fields within non-premixed hydrogen-air annular RDCs using a three-dimensional Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES) framework in OpenFOAM. A finiterate chemistry approach with a 22-step mechanism captures stiff chemical kinetics. Models are validated against US Air Force Research Laboratory and University of Cincinnati hardware; both utilise jets-in-crossflow schemes with roughly axial fuel injection, differing primarily in radial-outwards versus radial-inward air injections.<br/><br/>The ILES framework successfully replicates complex macroscopic wave topologies, including the primary detonation wavefront, oblique shocks, and slip lines. Simulations affirm that the wave acts as a highly rapid valve with the extreme pressures momentarily suppressing reactant injection, creating a highly stratified “refill zone” that continuously interacts with the propagating wave. Furthermore, a distinct thermochemical bifurcation separates high-pressure shock-induced detonation from lower-pressure deflagration. Statistical analyses confirm significant chemical energy is consumed via non-pressure-gain parasitic and commensal deflagration, undermining overall thermodynamic efficiency. While accurately predicting single-wave modes under baseline conditions, the framework over-predicts wave multiplicity (predicting an additional wave) under high-mass-flow or oxygen-enriched environments. This suggests the idealised inflow boundary conditions miss crucial acoustic dampening from the physical feed plenums. Finally, to overcome the analytical bottleneck of massive datasets, this work utilises statistical means including an automated data-driven methodology. The application of k-means clustering and directed network analysis autonomously anatomises flow fields into functional thermodynamic zones, establishing a foundation for an objective “Detonation Quality” metric.}},
author = {{Lim, Yuxiang}},
isbn = {{978-91-8104-996-1}},
issn = {{0282-1990}},
keywords = {{Computational fluid dynamics; Large eddy simulation; Rotating detonation; Non-premixed; Hydrogen-air}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
publisher = {{Energy Sciences, Lund University}},
school = {{Lund University}},
title = {{High Fidelity Simulations of Rotating Detonation Combustion : Large Eddy Simulation for Non-Premixed Annular Rotating Detonation Combustors}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/249845334/Thesis_Yuxiang_Lim_LUCRIS_-_FINAL.pdf}},
year = {{2026}},
}