Numerical Simulation of the PPT Discharge Process Based on Magnetohydrodynamic Models

Abstract

The pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) discharge process involves complex physical phenomena such as electromagnetism, flow, heat transfer, ionization, and recombination, and there is strong nonlinear coupling between the dynamic behaviors at different spatiotemporal scales. Although electromechanical models can clearly describe the change characteristics of the discharge parameters and the propulsion performance characteristics of the thruster, they fail to reflect the spatiotemporal characteristics of the plasma and its interaction with the electromagnetic field. To gain a deeper understanding of the physical process of PPT discharge plasma acceleration and fully elucidate the internal operating mechanism and energy conversion pattern of the thruster, it is necessary to carry out a detailed and comprehensive study on the PPT discharge process by means of microscopic dynamic theoretical analysis and numerical simulation.