Parametric Investigation of Pressure Field in a Rotating Detonation Combustor and Pressure Features Identification

The azimuthal and axial structure of the pressure field in a rotating detonation combustor (RDC) is quite complex, as the flow comprises intricate interactions between the detonation wave, the oblique shock wave, and reflections with boundary conditions. This study experimentally reconstructs the two-dimensional pressure field inside an RDC using a combination of piezoelectric sensors and capillary tube averaged pressure measurements under various operating conditions, with particular focus on the identification of the key pressure features. Three pressure features are identified from the phase-averaged pressure field maps: the detonation wave/oblique shock wave, the outlet reflection, and the radial reflection. These features are further validated through comparisons with simulations using both a fast two-dimensional reactive Euler solver and a high-fidelity three-dimensional large-eddy simulation. The simulation results demonstrate strong agreement with the experimental pressure maps, particularly under an unrestricted outlet condition, with oblique shock angle deviations within approximately [Formula: see text]. This analysis significantly enhances understanding of the RDC flowfield dynamics, offers insights for advancing RDC designs, and provides valuable experimental validation data for CFD.