Validation of Open-source CFD Solvers for Rotating Detonation

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are a core aspect of research into Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs). However, barriers to entry to conduct RDE CFD simulations, such as pay-walled and closed-source solvers hinder the ability of researchers to recreate, validate and build on past work in the RDE research field. As such, we test an open-source alternative solver, RYrhoCentralFoam, a multi-phase, multi-component, compressible and reacting flow OpenFOAM solver developed by the National University of Singapore’s Computational Combustion and Energy Group. We validate and test the solver by simulating a hydrogen-air small annular RDE across a range of mass flow rates. Using this solver, we were able to achieve rotating detonation in a simulated small RDE, at mass flow rates ≥40 g/s with stoichiometric mixtures. The detonation velocity was within 90-94% of the Chapman–Jouguet detonation velocity, this being higher than the typical 60-80% range for annular RDEs. This is due to the inviscid flow conditions assumed in the RDE chosen to limit the computational cost of the simulation.