The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has unveiled a Detonation Tube Research Facility (DTRF) in the Combustion and Propulsion Laboratory of the institute. Funded by the Aeronautics Research and Development Board, DRDO, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), this is the first facility of its kind in India and among only a few globally.
Developed by Prof. Ajay Vikram Singh and his research group from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur, the facility successfully demonstrated the propagation of a detonation wave in a laboratory setting for the first time in India, accomplishing this feat in a record time of two years. Research conducted at the DTRF will help prevent mining, industrial, and home accidents; predict the path of wildfires; increase the efficiency of high-speed detonation-based engines; strengthen safety protocols in oil, gas, and pharmaceutical industries; and even enhance our understanding of supernovas.
Detonations are one of the most powerful phenomena in nature, where an enormous amount of energy is released almost instantaneously, propagated at a speed faster than the speed of sound, with typical velocities reaching ~2000-3000 m/s, making it highly difficult to achieve and control, especially in laboratory settings.
Prof. Ajay Vikram Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur explained, “The Detonation Tube Research Facility will explore the physics behind detonations and explosions to advance knowledge in the field of combustion and propulsion. We are studying flame acceleration mechanisms in confined spaces, critical for preventing severe explosions in processing units and storage facilities. The knowledge will help to stop accidental detonations and enhance safety in various end-use cases. We are also carrying out research on high-speed detonation-based engines with the aim of controlling these phenomena for more efficient energy conversion.”
The Detonation Tube Research Facility (DTRF) will advance aerospace applications and support studies on flame acceleration, deflagration-to-detonation transition, and safety in industries handling flammable materials. The research into detonation-based engines could also lead to the development of powerful devices that operate on the principle of multiple explosions, potentially replacing current engines in aircraft and rockets for more efficient travel. A key focus is Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs), which offer up to 25% greater fuel efficiency, higher energy density, and fewer moving parts, making them ideal for space exploration and military aircraft.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, highlighted the significance of the facility, “I believe the Detonation Tube Research Facility will elevate India’s status in the global aerospace community. It positions IIT Kanpur at the forefront of propulsion research, providing the nation with tools to innovate in critical sectors, placing India among a select group of nations capable of exploring advanced detonation technologies. I would like to congratulate Prof. Ajay Vikram Singh and his team for their remarkable achievement in establishing this pioneering facility.”
This ground-breaking facility will not only contribute to academic research, but also offer practical solutions to industries reliant on combustion processes. With advanced diagnostic systems and data acquisition tools, the facility is set to lead the way in understanding detonation waves and improving safety protocols in industries prone to accidental explosions.
