Numerical Simulation of Flow Fields in Large-scale Segmented-type Arc Heaters

Turbulent plasma flow in large-scale arc heater such as NASA 60 MW Interaction Heating Facility was numerically investigated and the distribution of the arc-heated flow-field properties were successfully obtained. The turbulent flow-field was described by the ReynoldsAveraged Navier-Stokes equations with a multitemperature model, tightly coupled with the electric field and the radiation-field calculations. In addition, an accurate and low-cost radiation model and a low-Reynolds number two-equation turbulence model were introduced into the flowfield simulation. It was quantitatively clarified that radiation and turbulence phenomena are very important mechanisms to transfer heat and momentum from high-temperature core region to cold gas region near the wall. To validate the present numerical model, the numerical solutions were compared with the experimental data, e.g., arc voltage, mass-averaged enthalpy, chamber pressure and heat efficiency. It was indicated that the present flow-field simulation model showed good agreement over various operating conditions of the facilities.