PROPANE FUEL MONITORING IN PULSE DETONATION ENGINES USING A DIODE-LASER SENSOR

Characterization of fuel charging in pulse detonation engines (PDEs) is of fundamental importance to improve engine performance, to realize active engine control, and to enable comparison between experimental data and simulations. Here we report the development of a diode-laser-based C3H8 (propane) sensor and its applications in PDE facilities at Stanford University (SU) and at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). In its application to the SU PDE, this sensor measures the C3H8 concentration history quantitatively and facilitates the optimal valve and ignition timing. The quantitatively measured fuel concentration also enhances the value of our database for C3H8-detonation for validating simulations. In its application to the NPS PDE, this sensor monitors quantitative C3H8 concentration, demonstrating the sensor’s utility in high-repetition-rate engines. The success achieved in these applications shows the promise of diode-laser sensors as a tool for both fundamental PDE research and practical engine development.