Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

A detonation wave is a supersonic, pressure-gain, self-sustained combustion wave with a complex, unstable flow structure. Detonation research is increasingly sought after, in response to intensifying global efforts for developing disruptive propulsion engine technology aimed at hypersonic and supersonic flights, and by renewed interests in decarbonization with hydrogen, of which safety is of paramount concern due to its considerable explosion hazard. A five-year research program is proposed to advance the fundamental understanding of the detonation dynamics in gases and develop an advanced modelling platform for better predicting related dynamical events. In order to achieve this objective, this proposal centers around three original Research Thrusts (RT). In RT #1, high-fidelity, multi-dimensional simulations of unsteady detonation structures will be performed using modern computational techniques solving both the reactive Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Dynamic flow structure analysis will consist of modal decomposition methods for model order reduction, as well as decomposing the complex detonation flows into fundamental spectral components, and for analyzing energy partition and transfer between modes through the flow fields. Lagrangian-based techniques will be used to diagnose the geometric flow structures and any distinct dynamical behavior that could govern reactivity and mixing. In RT #2, different modelling strategies will be proposed through statistical, formal modelling, and physically-informed, data-driven approaches. Neural network-based methods will be used to develop predictive models of detonation dynamic parameters and develop flow field reconstruction procedures. Data-driven, physically-informed machine learning approaches will be employed to develop predictive reduced-order models, improve current theories and identify key physical and chemical processes as well as important features within the unstable detonation structure. This program will be complemented in RT #3 by simplified synthetic experiments and numerical simulations relevant to practical issues of detonation phenomena in propulsion systems and safe management in industrial settings. The proposed research program will contribute towards the foundational knowledge and development of advanced methods and predictive tools for detonation research. This will aid in creating unique expertise to support innovation and development in the Canadian energy, aerospace, and power industry in light of the recent efforts of harnessing the detonation combustion process of energy conversion for developing disruptive technology for both propulsion and power generation and the demand for hydrogen in global energy systems, thus driving the need for modernizing and achieving consistent safety standards. This program will aim to produce a diverse group of HQP with expertise in detonation and explosion physics by training them in an inclusive and equitable learning environment.