Pressure-gain combustion .2. Experimental and model results

An experimental investigation of aerovalve pulse combustion is presented. The experimental measurements compare favorably with model predictions from a control-volume analysis of the pulse combustor. Particular emphasis is placed on the mean pressure differences through the combustor as an indicator of the so-called pressure gain performance. Both the operating conditions and combustor geometry are investigated. It is shown that complex fluid/combustion interactions within the combustor make it difficult to isolate the effect of geometric change. A scaling rule developed from the control-volume analysis is used to produce a combustor geometry capable of producing pressure gain.