A nonlinear oscillator concept for one-dimensional pulsating detonations

Abstract.

To interpret the results of direct numerical simulations for the one-dimensional pulsating detonation, a nonlinear oscillator model is proposed based on the integral conservation considerations. A gauging procedure is suggested in which the results from the direct numerical simulation are used to compute the coefficients of the oscillator equation. Various terms of the oscillator equation obtained are compared with those of mechanical nonlinear oscillators in order to illustrate their analogy. Among many important features captured by this nonlinear oscillator equation, the oscillatory behavior of the detonation wave front can be interpreted as resonant excitation of the chemical energy release.