A comprehensive, numerical model of electro-thermal propulsion

A computer model of an electrothermal accelerator has been developed. It applies to the whole apparatus, consisting of a plasma generator and a gun barrel, and it makes it possible to study the interdependent physical processes in both components at the same time. The code comprises a two-dimensional, transient description of the plasma arc, a two-dimensional, two-phase interior ballistics module, and a preprocessor delivering the required plasma physical data. Some results on the flow field, pressure, and temperature in a typical accelerator are presented, and probable limitations on the performance of such a system are discussed. The code is designed for application to different concepts of electrothermal-chemical guns.<
>