Flow field analysis of the supersonic nitrogen inductively coupled plasma using a nonequilibrium MHD model

Flow features of a supersonic inductively coupled plasma heater that can obtain suitable heat flux for development of membrane material for the flexible aeroshell are numerically examined by means of nonequilibrium magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations. A thermochemical nonequilibrium MHD model was constructed for simulating the radio-frequency discharge of nitrogen from the ICP torch to the conical nozzle, and finally into the ambient test chamber in a uniform manner. The outspread supersonic flow and the thermal nonequilibrium property in the nozzle and in the vacuum chamber were reproduced successfully through the developed numerical model. Due to the effect of the shock wave on the ICP flow, the contours of the translational temperature and Mach number formed separate small areas near the torch outlet in the vacuum chamber.