Stabilization of one-dimensional pulsating detonation instability using initial density non-uniformity.

In this study, the nonlinear dynamics of one-dimensional pulsating detonation waves with a two-step induction- reaction model to mimic chain-branching kinetics is investigated computationally. A spectrum of pulsating instabilities, from limit-cycle to chaotic detonation front oscillations, are first obtained. Here, the possibility of modulating the intrinsic pulsating detonation wave instabilities driven by the two-step chain-branching reaction is explored by numerical simulations using a 2^nd order finite volume method. Imposing a sinusoidal initial density perturbation, we show that under specific condition, the intrinsic multi-mode pulsating detonation front can indeed be regularized. On the other hand, the use of the initial density perturbation can excite hidden unstable modes forming a highly unstable detonation prompt to failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]