On initiation of detonation in large fuel-air clouds

Abstract

The proposed study is motivated by experimental evidence, dating back to 1985, demonstrating the possibility of deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in a fuel-air cloud. The detonation is initiated by a flame jet developed in a thin open-ended tube inserted into the cloud. Despite the experimental data, a first-principle understanding of the mechanism controlling the transition is still missing. The current research is aimed at resolution of this issue through a simple 2D formulation involving minimum physical ingredients.