It is of importance to first define deflagrations and detonations and give the characteristics that distinguish these two types of combustion waves. Since this book is concerned with a description of the detonation phenomenon, it is of value to first introduce the various topics that are concerned with detonations prior to their detailed description in later chapters. In this manner, a global perspective can be obtained and permit selective reading of the chapters for those who are already familiar with the subject.

In telling a story, it is natural to start from the beginning, and thus the presentation of the various topics follows more or less their historical development. However, no attempt is made here to discuss the extensive early literature. A historical chronology of detonation research covering the period from its first discovery in the late 1800s to the state of knowledge in the mid 1950s has been documented by Manson and co-workers (Bauer et al., 1991; Manson & Dabora, 1993). An extensive bibliography of the early works is given in these two papers for those who want to pursue further the history of detonations. This chapter is in essence a qualitative summary of the material covered in this book.

DEFLAGRATIONS AND DETONATIONS

Upon ignition, a combustion wave propagates away from the ignition source. Combustion waves transform reactants into products, releasing the potential energy stored in the chemical bonds of the reactant molecules, which is then converted into internal (thermal) and kinetic energy of the combustion products.