Rotating Detonation Combustor Pilot for Scramjet Combustion Enhancement

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to design and develop a Rotating Detonation Combustor (RDC) for use as a scramjet combustor pilot. The program leverages PSI’s unique knowledge and experience with air-breathing RDCs to integrate an RDC as a scramjet pilot in a way that requires minimal adjustment from current designs. Detonation combustion offers several ways to enhance supersonic combustion, including acting as a flame holder, improved fuel/air mixing, and flame stabilization through heat addition. PSI’s novel RDC geometry enhances the stability of the detonation wave and expands the range of conditions under which a detonation will successfully form. Both of these are key performance enhancements of the RDC that will be crucial for the scramjet pilot application. PSI has previously demonstrated this technology through SBIR programs with the Air Force and STTR programs with the Navy. In the Phase I SBIR, PSI will assess the ability of the RDC to create turbulence and deposit heat into a supersonic duct flow, as well as demonstrating stable detonation performance across a realistic range of inlet conditions for a scramjet pilot RDC. Additionally, PSI will analyze and design an air bypass to feed the RDC with minimal impact on system performance or architecture.