Optical diagnosis of an inductively coupled plasma source for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

Zheng, Pengwu; Wu, Jianjun; Zhang, Yu; Zhao, Yuanzheng

doi:10.1063/5.0130530

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There is a fitting linear relationship between pressure and mass flow for the ABEP working condition, the relation curve is shown in figure 4 [21] . When the mass flow is 20 sccm, the pressure is about 1.6 Pa according to the curve.…”

Section: Initial Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation on Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Nitrogen Working Medium

Zhong,

Zhang,

Zheng

2023

Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering

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Atmosphere-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) is an international research focus. ABEP systems work in very low earth orbit (VLEO) can realize orbit maintenance of spacecrafts with little or no fuel. In this field, radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF-ICP) thrusters can solve the problems of electrode corrosion and produce a dense plasma under thin atmosphere condition of VLEO. In this research, a RF-ICP source for the thruster configuration is designed, and a multi-physical coupling model is established. A complete simulation process is constructed to analyze the spatial distribution of the particles (e, N+, N2+, N, N2, N2S) in the RF-ICP. The results show that the particles in RF-ICP are axisymmetric in space, the electrons are mainly constrained in the central region of the ionization chamber by the magnetic field, and the plasma region expands and the electron density increases with the increase of the coil power. The other particles (N+, N2+, N, N2, N2S) are mainly distributed near the chamber wall as reactants or products of the surface reactions. And the distribution range of particles has a certain negative correlation with the electron energy required for excitation.

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Section: Initial Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation on Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Nitrogen Working Medium

Zhong,

Zhang,

Zheng

2023

Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering

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“…Finally, ICPs have been proposed as novel electrothermal space propulsion systems that superheat a propellant gas to temperatures much higher than those achievable with chemical combustion. Various experimental prototypes have demonstrated strong gas heating with a range of propellants including hydrogen, helium, oxygen, argon, and ammonia [31][32][33][34][35][36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parametric study of a vortex-enhanced supersonic inductive plasma torch

Pascale,

Lafleur,

Corr

2024

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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The feed gas injection configuration in Radio-Frequency (RF) Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) torches plays a critical role in discharge stability, gas heating, and device thermal management: particularly if a supersonic nozzle is used to subsequently accelerate the hot gas. A novel injection configuration is the bidirectional vortex, which segments the internal ICP flow field into two counter-propagating vortices that can significantly enhance gas heating and reduce heat losses. The diameter of the interface between the vortices (known as the mantle) is expected to be an important dimensional parameter affecting torch operation, especially relative to the nozzle size. In this work, we investigate the effect of nozzle throat diameter on the behaviour and performance of a vortex-enhanced supersonic ICP torch. The system is operated at RF powers and argon mass flow rates between 200-1000 W and 0-400 mg/s respectively, and different nozzle diameters ranging from 1.5 to 4 mm are explored. Because of the high-temperature environment, and to prevent disruption of the vortex flow fields, non-invasive diagnostics are used to measure the gas temperature and plasma density, and to infer the torch thermal efficiency and achievable gas specific enthalpy change. The maximum temperature is between 8500-9500 K with the 1.5 mm nozzle giving the highest temperature for a given power and mass flow rate. Plasma densities vary between 10^20-10^21 m^-3 depending on the operating conditions, with the 1.5 mm nozzle again giving the highest density. By contrast, the thermal efficiency increases from 29% for the 1.5 mm nozzle to just above 70% for the 4 mm nozzle with a similar maximum specific enthalpy of around 1.5 MJ/kg. These results demonstrate the important coupling between torch properties, and how system optimization can lead to tailored performance of potential interest to several ground and space-based applications.

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Optical detection method of discharge mode transition of inductively coupled plasma in an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

ZHONG,

ZHANG,

et al. 2024

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

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Optical diagnosis of an inductively coupled plasma source for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

Cited by 4 publications

References 35 publications

Simulation on Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Nitrogen Working Medium

Simulation on Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Nitrogen Working Medium

Parametric study of a vortex-enhanced supersonic inductive plasma torch

Optical detection method of discharge mode transition of inductively coupled plasma in an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

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