Analytical Study of Velocity Field Development in the Constrictor of a 200 kW Arc Jet

The following research focuses on the study of the behavior of air plasma developed inside a 200 kW arc-jet constrictor. The scope of the analysis performed in the present document is focused specifically on the velocity fields and their characteristics inside the constrictor domain. Among them, the velocity magnitude, the distribution of the radial profiles at different stations along the length of the constrictor, and the axial velocity profile distribution. The analytical study considers mathematical models, which include air properties like specific heat, thermal conductivity, electric conductivity and enthalpy. The axial enthalpy distribution is shown at different radii of the constrictor in order to explain the presence of the velocity fields inside the control volume of interest. In the present work, it was found that the magnitude of the air plasma velocity fields increases due to the contact with the electric arc along the constrictor, reaching maximum velocity values of 5000 m/s at 10,000 K in the center of the constrictor and gradually decreasing when the constrictor radius approaches the wall. These findings provide insight into performance aspects of an arc jet constrictor using atmospheric air as a propellant. A key limitation of the present study stems from the initial assumptions and restrictions detailed in the Materials and Methods section. These constraints inherently alter several plasma flow parameters, namely the Lorentz force, the radial variation of the electric potential, etc.