Simulation of the plasma-surface interaction in electric launchers

A 2-D computer code is being developed to investigate the plasma-surface interaction in electric launchers. The code will calculate the mass evolution rate at the surface and will allow the determination of the relative importance of energy transport to the surface via radiation and turbulent convection. The system has been modeled using fluid boundary layer equations, including a two equation (k-/spl epsi/) model for turbulence, coupled with thermal radiation transport. The equations include magnetic field terms for modeling of railguns, and a combustion source term in the energy equation for modeling of the plasma-propellant interaction in ETC launchers. The set of governing equations is solved numerically using finite difference methods. At this time, testing of the fluid flow portion of the code is being conducted. Code results for laminar flow closely match analytical predictions and the published results of others. Results for turbulent flow are presented, but the turbulence model has shown some instability so it must be modified and tested further. Once the code can accurately predict flow conditions for high Reynolds number flows such as those in electric launchers, an outer iteration will be added to solve the radiation transport equation.<>