The flow in the nozzle of a small hydrogen arcjet intended for low-thrust propulsion is studied without arc ignition using numerical and experimental techniques. The flow conditions in the thruster indicate that low-density nonequilibrium effects will significantly influence the flow. Therefore, the numerical analysis is undertaken using a Monte Carlo approach. The experimental studies employ laser Raman scattering. Comparisons of the measured and computed results are made for total number density, rotational temperature, and for the number density of the first rotational level. The numerical results are found to be quite sensitive to the rotational relaxation rate, and a strong degree of thermal nonequilibrium is observed at the exit plane of the nozzle. Successful comparisons between experiment and analysis permit estimation of the rotational relaxation rate for hydrogen.


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    Title :

    Monte Carlo and experimental studies of nozzle flow in a low-power hydrogen arcjet


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA, SAE, ASME, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit ; 1993 ; Monterey, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    1993-06-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English