Experimental Data

Many experimental studies of reactions behind reflected shocks in shock tubes have been performed. In these experiments, the region near the shock-tube end wall is monitored, usually by pressure transducers or spectroscopically, and one or more thermodynamic or species variables is measured over time. The definition of induction time varies considerably throughout the literature, but most of the data are comparable. An advantage of shock-tube induction time data for validation of detonation chemistry mechanisms (over flame or flow reactor data) is that the postshock conditions more closely resemble the conditions within a detonation. Many shock tube studies obtain typical detonation temperatures (1500 - von Neumann, 3000 - Chapman-Jouguet), but pressures above 5 atm are rare. High argon dilution is frequently used to increase induction times, but unfortunately nitrogen dilution is uncommon.

 

• Induction Time Definitions