Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) is a propulsion system that generates detonation waves, self-propelled combustion waves traveling at supersonic speeds, in a pulsed manner to produce thrust. This study aimed to increase momentum by using high-molecular-weight gases as the purge gas for the PDE's purging process, thereby enhancing thrust density through increased thrust per cycle. Experiments were conducted using nitrogen gas and argon gas, which has a higher density. Results showed an average thrust of 0.494 N when purged with nitrogen gas and an average thrust of 0.688 N when purged with argon gas. Using a high-molecular-weight gas for purging increased the average thrust by approximately 39%．
Fujii et al. (Wed,) studied this question.