Characteristics of High Voltage Vortex-Stabilized Arc Heaters

Phenomena occurring in a particular vortex-stabilized geometry are discussed. In arc heaters of this type, voltage increases linearly with flow and with size. The level of performance for various sizes is both predictable and fairly constant. Smoke techniques have elucidated re-entrant flow patterns associated with the vortex flow, and windows permit studying the effect of an auxiliary magnetic field on arc rotation. Measurements of effluent fluctuations are reported.