New detonation engine helps shape the future of supersonic aviation

In China, technological progress is happening at a breakneck pace, regardless of the field, and recently they have presented a new high-performance jet engine.

A research team has presented an innovative hypersonic engine concept: a Ram-Rotor Detonation Engine (RRDE) combined with a rotary compressor, providing constant thrust power, even at extremely high speeds.

According to engineers, it could easily overcome the challenges facing rotary detonation engines today and thus advance the development of supersonic flight and other aerospace applications.

For decades, aeronautical engineers have explored detonation engines, which are known for their many advantages in terms of pressure delivery.

This new engine can easily overcome the challenges facing rotary detonation engines today. (Illustration photo).

Since the 1950s, different models have appeared, including oblique detonation engines, pulse detonation engines, and rotary detonation engines.

However, widespread adoption of these technologies is still limited by major obstacles, such as their inability to generate continuous thrust and constant pressure.

Researchers from Tsinghua University (Beijing) took on this challenge, under the leadership of Dr. Hao Cheng Wen and Professor Bing Wang, they imagined and applied a new approach to explosive thrust with the development of the Ram-Rotor engine.

One engine, two technologies

The RRDE engine combines two separate propulsion systems : a rotary detonator and a rotary compressor operating with supersonic combustion, creating shock waves powered by a chemical reaction.

Rotary compressors help to tap into a fast-moving stream of air, which is compressed before being mixed with fuel. This mixture is then ignited by the shock wave from the rotary explosion.

The engine operates in a circular manner: air is compressed, mixed with fuel, ignited, and then the combusted gases expand to create a constant thrust. This process ensures the stability of the rotating detonation wave, even at very high speeds.

According to the researchers, the RRDE represents a step forward in the field of compact and efficient propulsion, combining a rotor compressor with spiral blades, housed in a fixed housing.

Between the blades, a component allows the air-fuel mixture to be compressed under optimal conditions to trigger detonation, regardless of the incoming air flow.

'The initial goal of this development is to improve the structure of the rotary detonation engine ,' Wen said in a statement.

Promising performance

To evaluate the potential of RRDE, the team conducted experiments with a hydrogen-air fuel mixture, which showed that the boost pressure increased more than three times compared to the initial pressure.

Simulations confirmed combustion stability at inlet velocities up to Mach 4.2.

'Our study mainly verifies the performance benefits and operational feasibility of RRDE,' said Professor Wen .

While these demonstrations are promising, technical challenges remain, particularly regarding the stabilization of the detonation wave. However, the researchers view these issues as a reasonable first step, with room for improvement in the future.