Analysis of a pulsed detonation thermal spray applicator

Pulsed detonation thermal spray applicators are used to deposit particulate -based coatings on metal components. The coatings usually consist of a uniq ue class of thermal spray materials that are widely employed in numerous in dustries to enhance the surface of metal components. This paper presents an analysis and numerical simulation of an open tube pulsed detonation therma l spray applicator. Calculations are made to determine the theoretical deto nation states attainable for typical operating conditions and to track the particle trajectories as they traverse the barrel, eventually impacting the target workpiece. The present investigation focuses on the combustion of a cetylene in oxygen, diluted with nitrogen. Key parameters studied are: nitr ogen dilution percentage, oxygen-carbon ratio, barrel location of solid-par ticle axial injection, and size of the injected particles. Results are pres ented on the effect of these design parameters on several important quantit ies including: detonation speed. velocity of the detonation product gases, detonation pressure, detonation temperature, temperature and velocity profi les of the solid particle as it travels through the pulsed detonation therm al spray applicator, percentage melt history of the solid particles, and te mperature, velocity, and percentage melt of the solid as it impacts the wor kpiece.