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About This Image...

The figure shows a temperature map of one timeframe in a two-dimensional numerical simulation of a propagating detonation in a hydrogen-oxygen mixture. Behind the detonation front, there is a complex wave structure consisting of Mach stems, incident shocks, transverse shock waves, vortices, and reaction zones of various sizes. All of these structures are changing dramatically in time. The figure uses a "wrap-around" palette so that small but distinct features can be seen.

Reference: The graphic was prepared by Elaine S. Oran, Laboratory for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC. It is based on work done by Michel H. Lefebvre (Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium) and Elaine S. Oran (affiliation above). Scientific discussions explaing this structure can be found in:

  • The Influence of the Heat Capacity and Diluent on Detonation Structure, M.H. Lefebvre, E.S. Oran, K. Kailasanath, and P.J. Van Tiggelen, Combustion and Flame, 95, 206-218, 1993.

  • Analysis of the Shock Structures in a Regular Detonation, M.H. Lefebvre and E.S. Oran, Shock Waves, 4, 277-283, 1995.

  • A Numerical Study of a Two-Dimensional H2-O2-Air Detonation using a Detailed Chemical Reaction Model, E.S. Oran, J.W. Weber, Jr, E.I. Stefaniw, M.H. Lefebvre, Anderson, J.D., Jr., Combustion and Flame, 113, 147-163, 1998.

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