Detonation wave driven by condensation of supersaturated carbon vapor

Abstract

An experimental observation of a detonation wave driven by the energy of condensation of supersaturated carbon vapor is reported. The carbon vapor was formed by the thermal decay of unstable carbon suboxide ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2$ behind shock waves in mixtures containing 10–30% ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2$ in Ar. In the mixture 10% ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2+\mathrm{Ar}$ the insufficient heat release resulted in a regime of overdriven detonation. In the mixture 20% ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2+\mathrm{Ar}$ measured values of the pressure and wave velocity coincident with calculated Chapman-Jouguet parameters were attained. In the richest mixture 30% ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2+\mathrm{Ar}$ an excess heat release caused the slowing down of the condensation rate and the regime of underdriven detonation was observed.