Parametric Studies of an Aluminum Combustion Model for Simulations of Detonation Waves

We present a parametric analysis of a combustion model developed for computer simulations of detonation waves propagating in aluminum-dust-oxygen two-phase mixtures. In this model, consumption of solid and liquid aluminum is limited by its evaporation rate, and, depending on a gas-phase temperature, the fuel can be burned into aluminum oxide or aluminum monoxide. The model is applied for one-dimensional simulations of detonation waves. We analyze the influence of various factors on characteristic parameters of the detonation and compare computed results with those of other models and experimental data. The analyses show a qualitative agreement of the computed results with the Chapman-Jouguet detonation model. A combustion model and an initial solid-phase concentration significantly influence the computed solutions. Specifically, a decomposition temperature has a strong effect on the system, because it limits the energy release in the combustion process. An initial particle diameter (with an exception of very fine dust) and an ignition temperature have no influence on the propagation of the detonation waves but are limiting factors for their development.