An Asymptotic Theory of Deflagrations and Detonations I. The Steady Solutions

Combustion waves propagating through a reactive gas are studied in the plane, one-dimensional geometry. On a length scale large compared to the diffusion length, the waves are treated as exothermic discontinuities in an ideal, nonreactive gas. An asymptotic theory is developed which yields the steady structures of the waves in a simple, analytical form. The theory, based on limits of large activation energy and small heat release, treats all possible deflagrations and detonations.