Radiation Preheating can Trigger Transition from Deflagration to Detonation

In this article the possibility of radiation heat transfer to trigger transition to detonation is studied. It is assumed that the premixed deflagration front is able to emit and the unburnt mixture to absorb radiation heat effectively. Under this assumption the ability of the flame to significantly preheat the unburnt mixture and to form a promoting temperature gradient is investigated. First, we estimate the temperature rise due to the radiation preheating of the unburnt mixture, when it is traveling through deep flame wrinkles. Subsequently, we carry out numerical simulations of premixed gaseous combustion in a tube. The simulations confirm the possibility of formation of promoting temperature gradients within flame folds and initiation of the detonation waves. They demonstrate the plausibility of the proposed mechanism of the deflagration to detonation transition.