In experimental rotating detonation combustor (RDC) studies, the detonation wave propagates at 70 − 80% of the Chapman Jouguet (CJ) speed. Multiple mechanisms could contribute to the reduction in measured detonation wave speeds, such as non ideal injection and mixing, exhaust gas dilution, deflagrative burning, heat loss, viscous processes and lateral relief. But quantifying the effect of these processes using traditional RDC combustor diagnostics is difficult. A low order model was developed to provide rough estimates of injection and combustion parameters that are not easily measurable in the RDC. Three mechanisms were incorporated: the buffer region created by non premixed reactant injection, parasitic combustion of reactants, and suppression of the heat release through the detonation. The low order model is here extended by integrating different types of experimental inputs to improve first order estimates of the low order model by integrating more realistic boundary conditions.