Structure and initiation of plane detonation waves in a bidisperse gas suspension of aluminum particles

Initiation and propagation of plane waves of heterogeneous detonation in a stoichiometric suspension of two fractions of aluminum particles in oxygen are analyzed numerically. It is found that the detonation is not ideal, and the steady-state part of the shock-wave structure is bounded by an equilibrium frozen sonic point. Initiation criteria depend on the particle-size distribution of the mixture. Initiation by explosive shock waves can lead to formation of unstable two-front structures. Addition of a small amount of fine particles into the discrete phase allows the initiation energy to be substantially reduced.