Numerical simulation of influence of the non-equilibrium excitation of molecules on direct detonation initiation by spark discharge

Abstract

The influence of the non-equilibrium excitation of molecules on a direct detonation initiation by spark discharge was evaluated by a comparison of simulation result when the delayed vibrational excitation was taken into account with a result where the excitation effect was neglected. A numerical model of the spark channel expansion in chemically reacting gas was used. It was found out that increased critical energy of detonation initiation caused by the delayed activation of the vibrational excited states of polyatomic molecules in an initiating shock wave.