Theoretical analysis on detonation initiation induced by thermal nonuniformity in a supersonic flow

Detonation initiation induced by thermal nonuniformity in a supersonic reactive flow is analyzed with a theoretical model in one and two dimensions. A self-strengthening coupling between the reaction front and the induced shock wave is found to provide an underlying mechanism for detonation initiation. To quantify the capability of the thermal nonuniformity to cause detonation initiation, we introduce a detonation initiation factor. This factor is found to change nonmonotonically depending on the temperature difference of the thermal nonuniformity.