Numerical study of formation of a detonation wave in a supersonic flow over a wedge by an H$_2$–O$_2$ mixture with nonequilibrium excitation of molecular vibrations of reagents

Specific features of formation of an oblique detonation wave in a supersonic hydrogen-oxygen mixture flow over a plane wedge are analyzed. Preliminary excitation of molecular vibrations of H$_2$ is shown to lead to a noticeable (severalfold) decrease in the induction-zone length and the distance at which the detonation wave is formed. These effects are manifested even if H$_2$ molecules are excited in a narrow region in the vicinity of the flow centerline. The reason for these effects is intensification of chain reactions in the H$_2$–O$_2$ (air) mixture owing to the presence of vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules in the flow.