Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion

V. P. Chiravalle; R. B. Miles; E. Y. Choueiri

doi:10.2514/6.2001-962

Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion

V. P. Chiravalle, R. B. Miles, E. Y. Choueiri

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

The concept of adding energy to an expanding supersonic flow using a microwave-sustained plasma is explored numerically by solving the complete system of both the Maxwell equations and the Navier Stokes equations for the case of an argon flow in a realistic thruster geometry. Results show that when an additional amount of power, equal to 45 % of the power deposited in the plenum, is added to the supersonic flow a toroidal plasma forms, but only a 3 % increase in specific impulse is achieved. It is concluded that future work relating to this concept should concentrate on finding ways to confine the plasma to the centerline.

Original language	English (US)
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2001-962
State	Published - 2001
Event	39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2001 - Reno, NV, United States Duration: Jan 8 2001 → Jan 11 2001

Other

Other	39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2001
Country/Territory	United States
City	Reno, NV
Period	1/8/01 → 1/11/01

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Space and Planetary Science
Aerospace Engineering

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10.2514/6.2001-962

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title = "Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion",

abstract = "The concept of adding energy to an expanding supersonic flow using a microwave-sustained plasma is explored numerically by solving the complete system of both the Maxwell equations and the Navier Stokes equations for the case of an argon flow in a realistic thruster geometry. Results show that when an additional amount of power, equal to 45 % of the power deposited in the plenum, is added to the supersonic flow a toroidal plasma forms, but only a 3 % increase in specific impulse is achieved. It is concluded that future work relating to this concept should concentrate on finding ways to confine the plasma to the centerline.",

author = "Chiravalle, {V. P.} and Miles, {R. B.} and Choueiri, {E. Y.}",

year = "2001",

doi = "10.2514/6.2001-962",

language = "English (US)",

note = "39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2001 ; Conference date: 08-01-2001 Through 11-01-2001",

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T1 - Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion

AU - Chiravalle, V. P.

AU - Miles, R. B.

AU - Choueiri, E. Y.

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - The concept of adding energy to an expanding supersonic flow using a microwave-sustained plasma is explored numerically by solving the complete system of both the Maxwell equations and the Navier Stokes equations for the case of an argon flow in a realistic thruster geometry. Results show that when an additional amount of power, equal to 45 % of the power deposited in the plenum, is added to the supersonic flow a toroidal plasma forms, but only a 3 % increase in specific impulse is achieved. It is concluded that future work relating to this concept should concentrate on finding ways to confine the plasma to the centerline.

AB - The concept of adding energy to an expanding supersonic flow using a microwave-sustained plasma is explored numerically by solving the complete system of both the Maxwell equations and the Navier Stokes equations for the case of an argon flow in a realistic thruster geometry. Results show that when an additional amount of power, equal to 45 % of the power deposited in the plenum, is added to the supersonic flow a toroidal plasma forms, but only a 3 % increase in specific impulse is achieved. It is concluded that future work relating to this concept should concentrate on finding ways to confine the plasma to the centerline.

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DO - 10.2514/6.2001-962

M3 - Paper

AN - SCOPUS:85088184136

T2 - 39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2001

Y2 - 8 January 2001 through 11 January 2001

ER -

Numerical simulation of microwave-sustained supersonic plasmas for application to space propulsion

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