Numerical comparison between a differential and an integral approach in MHD simulations of electromagnetic railgun plasma armatures

In this paper an integral approach for the analysis and the numerical simulation of the plasma armatures operating in rail launchers is tested by comparison with a differential approach. After a brief recall of the main theoretical and numerical aspects of the two approaches, a benchmark problem is presented and analyzed. The comparison between the results obtained confirms the validity and the effectiveness of both methods. Moreover, possible advantages or drawbacks of the computer codes implementing the two approaches are discussed.