Tube diameter effect on deflagration-to-detonation transition of propane-oxygen mixtures

An experimental study was conducted to study the tube diameter effect on deflagration- to-detonation run-up distance. The tube diameter effect is associated with the amplification factor, flame acceleration and heat loss. A simplified correlation of the run-up distance and tube diameter is proposed for the fuel-lean, stoichiometric and slight fuel-rich mixtures. The amplification factor, which is evaluated from the initial conditions of the propane-oxygen mixtures, might also be used to get a quick estimation of the run-up distance in tubes of larger diameter.