Droplet Size Effects in Liquid-Fueled Multiphase Detonations

Air-breathing, liquid-fueled detonation engines promise the high-performance, efficient propulsion necessary for next-generation flight vehicles. Development of such devices requires a thorough understanding of the relevant physics involved. It is therefore imperative to understand fully the mechanisms by which liquid fuel droplets are processed by detonation waves. This is a complex multiphase phenomena, consisting of simultaneous droplet breakup, evaporation, and reaction. Current models do not fully capture the effects of droplet size, spatial distribution, and simultaneous breakup, evaporation, & reaction. A campaign of experiments is underway to determine the effect of variation in droplet size distribution on multiphase detonations. This work is performed in order to provide data from which to develop and validate models for liquid droplet interaction with detonations and unsupported shock waves. Data for the first droplet size distribution studied is presented, along with a detailed description of the initial condition development and measurement methods.