How can I prevent overheating in a Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE)?

AI Thread Summary
Designing a pulse detonation engine (PDE) presents challenges due to the extreme temperatures from detonation, reaching 3461 K, which complicates material selection for the detonation chamber and thermal barrier coating (TBC). Pyrolytic graphite is suggested as a potential TBC material, but calculating the required thickness is difficult without knowing the heat flow rate, which is not typically standardized in industrial applications. An innovative idea is proposed to use a blunt shape design, similar to spacecraft heat shields, to create a boundary layer of air or air/fuel that could help mitigate heat transfer to the combustion chamber. This approach could potentially enhance thermal protection by utilizing shockwave dynamics. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for effective thermal management solutions in high-temperature environments.
mylovelyamber
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Hi,
I'm new here and I'm really hoping that someone could answer my question.
i am trying to design a PDE but the problem about this is that the temperature caused by detonation (3461 K) is so high that it is really difficult to find a suitable material for the detonation chamber and thermal barrier coating (TBC). Does anyone have a suggestion on this?

and if i were to use pyrolytic graphite for the TBC, how am I supposed to calculate what is the required thickness, if the melting point of my detonation chamber material is 1773K? i don't have the rate of heat flow. is there an industrially typical/ideal heat flow rate across the walls of engines?

Thanks in advance!
 
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This might be a completely mad suggestion, but I'm reminded of the fact that the Apollo/Soyuz/Dragon space capsule design prevents the capsule from heating by having a blunt shape which tends to push the superheated plasma around the body of the spacecraft heatshield on a cushion of compressed air.

Mybe you could exploit a similar effect - have a layer of air or air/fuel which acts as a boundary layer and prevents the material of the combustion chamber/surface (is this a shockwave rider?) from heating.

Good luck!
 
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