Current status of research of continuous detonation in fuel-air mixtures (Review)

The current status of experimental research of continuous detonation of fuel-air mixtures in flow-type annular combustors is described. Experimental data for C$_2$H$_2$-air, H$_2$-air, and CO/H$_2$-air mixtures are analyzed, systematized, and generalized. Basic specific features of continuous spin detonation and the influence of geometric parameters of flow-type combustors are described. The effect of physical and chemical parameters on the domain of continuous detonation formation is analyzed. It is concluded that the fundamental knowledge of continuous detonation processes in hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels gained up to now allows one to consider the possibility of using them in air-breathing detonation engines.