Numerical simulation of magnetic nozzle flow for nuclear-fusion space propulsion

Turchi, P. J.; Mikellides, Pavlos G.; Gerwin, Richard A.; Gessini, Paolo

doi:10.2514/6.1999-2701

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Confinement of the plasma may also require the formation of a current layer at the plasma-vacuum boundary. 16,17 Diffusive and convective processes may degrade the current layer and must be understood to characterize the losses due to non-ideal confinement.…”

Section: Directionalizing Thermal Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

Ebersohn¹,

Girimaji²,

Staack³

et al. 2012

48th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference &Amp;amp; Exhibit

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents a review of the current understanding of magnetic nozzle physics. The crucial steps necessary for thrust generation in magnetic nozzles are energy conversion, plasma detachment, and momentum transfer. The currently considered mechanisms by which to extract kinetic energy from the plasma include the conservation of the magnetic moment adiabatic invariant, electric field forces, thermal energy directionalization, and Joule heating. Plasma detachment mechanisms discussed include resistive diffusion, recombination, magnetic reconnection, loss of adiabaticity, inertial forces, and self-field detachment. Momentum transfer from the plasma to the spacecraft occurs due to the interaction between the applied field currents and induced currents which are formed due to the magnetic pressure. These three physical phenomena are crucial to thrust generation and must be understood to optimize magnetic nozzle design. The operating dimensionless parameter ranges of six prominent experiments are considered and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed.

show abstract

Section: Directionalizing Thermal Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

Ebersohn¹,

Girimaji²,

Staack³

et al. 2012

48th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference &Amp;amp; Exhibit

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Because the flow vector in the plasma-field mixing layer is referred to the magnetic field lines, however, Equation (2), which leads to the Bernoulli equation, is only an approximation within the plasma-field mixing layer. Its validity depends upon V ⊥ V // << 1.…”

Section: General Physics Description Of Magnetic Nozzlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Strictly speaking, Equation (2) as it stands really is only valid along the actual flow streamlines, which can differ from the magnetic field lines because of resistive diffusion. Because the flow vector in the plasma-field mixing layer is referred to the magnetic field lines, however, Equation (2), which leads to the Bernoulli equation, is only an approximation within the plasma-field mixing layer.…”

Section: General Physics Description Of Magnetic Nozzlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Integration of Equation (2), assuming that pressure is related to density adiabatically along a streamline, yields the Bernoulli equation. Thus, P tot ρ -Ɣ is constant along a streamline.…”

Section: Bernoulli Equation For Nozzle Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Equation (2), l is the distance along the local field line (or streamline in the field-free region of core plasma). In Equation (3), R is the local longitudinal radius of curvature of the field line, and it is assumed for definiteness that the local curvature is adverse, that is, convex outwards.…”

Section: General Physics Description Of Magnetic Nozzlementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Integrity of the plasma magnetic nozzle

Gerwin

2010

2010 Abstracts IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pulsed fusion space propulsion: Computational Magneto-Hydro Dynamics of a multi-coil parabolic reaction chamber

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pulsed fusion propulsion might finally revolutionise manned space exploration by providing an affordable and relatively fast access to interplanetary destinations. However, such systems are still in an early development phase and one of the key areas requiring further investigations is the operation of the magnetic nozzle, the device meant to exploit the fusion energy and generate thrust. One of the last pulsed fusion magnetic nozzle design is the so called multi-coil parabolic reaction chamber: the reaction is thereby ignited at the focus of an open parabolic chamber, enclosed by a series of coaxial superconducting coils that apply a magnetic field. The field, beside confining the reaction and preventing any contact between hot fusion plasma and chamber structure, is also meant to reflect the explosion and push plasma out of the rocket. Reflection is attained thanks to electric currents induced in conductive skin layers that cover each of the coils, the change of plasma axial momentum generates thrust in reaction. This working principle has yet to be extensively verified and computational Magneto-Hydro Dynamics (MHD) is a viable option to achieve that. This work is one of the first detailed ideal-MHD analysis of a a multi-coil parabolic reaction chamber of this kind and has been completed employing PLUTO, a freely distributed computational code developed at the Physics Department of the University of Turin. The results are thus a preliminary verification of the chamber's performance. Nonetheless, plasma leakage through the chamber structure has been highlighted. Therefore, further investigations are required to validate the chamber design. Implementing a more accurate physical model (e.g. Hall-MHD or relativistic-MHD) is thus mandatory, and PLUTO shows the capabilities to achieve that.

show abstract

Numerical simulation of magnetic nozzle flow for nuclear-fusion space propulsion

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

Magnetic Nozzle Plasma Plume: Review of Crucial Physical Phenomena

Integrity of the plasma magnetic nozzle

Pulsed fusion space propulsion: Computational Magneto-Hydro Dynamics of a multi-coil parabolic reaction chamber

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About