IIT Kanpur Launches India’s First-Ever Detonation Tube Research Facility

IIT Kanpur has launched India’s first Detonation Tube Research Facility, Backed by DRDO, ISRO, and ARDB, joining a select few worldwide. Know details here

IIT Kanpur Launches India’s First-Ever Detonation Tube Research Facility

IIT Kanpur has launched a Detonation Tube Research Facility (DTRF) within its Combustion and Propulsion Laboratory. Funded by the Aeronautics Research and Development Board, DRDO, and ISRO, this is India’s first such facility and one of the few worldwide.

Led by Prof. Ajay Vikram Singh and his research team from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur, the facility achieved a groundbreaking milestone by demonstrating the propagation of a detonation wave in a laboratory setting for the first time in India, all within just two years. Research at the DTRF aims to prevent accidents in mining, industry, and homes; predict wildfire paths; boost the efficiency of high-speed detonation-based engines; improve safety protocols in the oil, gas, and pharmaceutical sectors; and deepen our understanding of supernovas.

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.”

Detonation Tube Research Facility

The Detonation Tube Research Facility (DTRF) will drive advancements in aerospace applications, enabling studies on flame acceleration, deflagration-to-detonation transition, and safety in industries handling flammable materials. Research into detonation-based engines could lead to the development of powerful devices powered by multiple explosions, potentially replacing conventional aircraft and rocket engines for more efficient travel. A key focus is on Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs), which promise up to 25% greater fuel efficiency, higher energy density, and fewer moving parts, making them ideal for space exploration and military aircraft.

This cutting-edge facility will not only advance academic research but also provide practical solutions for industries that depend on combustion processes. Equipped with advanced diagnostic systems and data acquisition tools, it is poised to become a leader in studying detonation waves and enhancing safety protocols in industries vulnerable to accidental explosions.

Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said, “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.”

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