SUPERSONIC, NONEQUILIBRIUM CORNER-EXPANSION FLOW OF IONIZED ARGON.

O. Igra, M. Barcessat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The nonequilibrium corner-expansion flow field of a partially ionized argon gas is solved numerically using the method of characteristics. The solution assumes a steady, two-dimensional and inviscid field. Due to the last assumption, the variations in the flow properties along the characteristics generated at the expansion-corner always start from the frozen value and change towards the appropriate equilibrium conditions. Throughout the expansion field, the electron temperature is found to be higher than that of the heavy particles. This is expected, since most of the energy released during the recombination process is absorbed by the free electrons. On the other hand, the temperature changes exhibited by the heavy particles along streamlines and along characteristics originating at the corner are very similar to those reported by I. I. Glass and A. Takano. The present technique can be used with confidence for various plasma flows as long as the studied fields fulfill the assumptions made during the solution. The specific solution reported here solves the expansion field for two different corners ( minus 5 degree and minus 15 degree expansion angle) when both had the same pre-corner conditions (T//o equals 11520 degree K, P//o equals 2. 95 at, alpha //o equals 0. 05). As expected, for the larger expansion angle, the flow disturbances are more pronounced. Throughout the entire field, the characteristic direction is a function of the frozen Mach number. This is in agreement with I. I. Glass' and A. Takano's findings, although their solution was limited to the case of thermal equilibrium.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBen Gurion Univ Negev Dep Mech Eng MED Rep
Issue number8
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1976

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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