Addressing the complex geometric effects on the three-dimensional transition to detonation in hydrocarbon-air mixtures using a parametrized level-set algorithm

A new level-set algorithm is developed that distinguishes the interior from the exterior of complex geometry by parameterizing the correlation between the stereolithography (STL) information and grid points in order to embody three-dimensional boundary interfaces in the Cartesian coordinate system. The method is applied to the flame and shock wave interactions in hydrocarbon fuel blends including the transition to a detonation in various three-dimensional geometric complexities for predicting the maximum chamber pressure. The locations of the strong shock-flame interactions and the onset of the hot spot initiation in the regions of the strongest interaction are investigated. Moreover, the study is intended for providing safety assessments of the pressure confinements that include bends, steps, and narrow channels connecting cavities by utilizing the present algorithm that can identify the triggering effects of the transition to detonation.