Simulation of the propellant combustion by plasma ignition in a closed bomb

The principle of electrothermal chemical gun is changing high-power electrical energy into the ablation plasma. Under the effect of plasma, the combustion performance of propellant is enhanced. Generally, the experimental research of propellant combustion is carried out in a closed bomb. The propellant combustion performance can be judged by analyzing the pressure-time curve. In this paper, discharge model of plasma generator was established based on the discharge characteristics. Then the combustion model of propellant under the condition of Plasma ignition in a closed bomb is formed by the discharge model of plasma generator coupled with the geometry combustion model of propellant. The relationship between propellant burning rate enhancement and the input power is discussed. The computer program of combustion model under the condition of plasma ignition was compiled, and the calculate results consistent well with the experimental results. Simulation results show that the plasma can significantly enhance the propellant burning rate during the discharge process, and the temperature of propellant gas in the closed bomb is also increased significantly.