Mechanism of deflagration-to-detonation transitions above repeated obstacles

Experiments are carried out to investigate the mechanism of the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). Because, this mechanism has relevance to safety issues in industries, where combustible premixed gases are in general use. A stoichiometric gas of oxygen and hydrogen (oxy-hydrogen) is ignited in a tube, repeated obstacles are installed, and the DDT behaviours are visualized using a high-speed video camera. The pitch and height of the repeated obstacles and the initial pressure of the oxy-hydrogen premixed gas are varied in an attempt to obtain the optimum conditions that cause DDT a short distance from the ignition source. The experiments identified DDT as being essentially caused by one of the following mechanisms: (1) A deflagration wave is accelerated in terms of a vortex, which is generated behind the obstacle, and the flame acceleration induces a secondary shock wave. Eventually, the shock–flame interaction ahead of the obstacle causes DDT via a very strong local explosion. (2) Each shock wave generated by relatively weak local explosions between the obstacles is not sufficient to cause DDT directly, but DDT results from an accumulation of shock waves. The detonation induction distance is also examined, taking into account the physical and chemical parameters of the obstacles and the oxy-hydrogen premixed gas.