Modeling of late-time ablation in teflon pulsed plasma thrusters

P. G. Mikellides; P. J. Turchi

doi:10.2514/6.1996-2733

Modeling of late-time ablation in teflon pulsed plasma thrusters

P. G. Mikellides, P. J. Turchi

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The MACH2 code has been modified to include non-monotonic heat flux to ablating surfaces in order to study late-time mass evolution in the pulsed plasma microthruster (PPT). Comparisons of predicted mass ablated and impulse bit with experimental data offer several insights into the operation of the PPT. Only a small fraction of the total ablated mass is produced during the current pulse and has the opportunity to be ionized and magnetically accelerated to high exhaust speeds. The rest gradually evaporates during much later times as a neutral gas that expands at relatively low speeds. Reduction of this low speed mass evolution would significantly improve the specific impulse and efficiency of the thruster.

Original language	English (US)
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1996-2733
State	Published - 1996
Externally published	Yes
Event	32nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1996 - Lake Buena Vista, United States Duration: Jul 1 1996 → Jul 3 1996

Conference

Conference	32nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1996
Country/Territory	United States
City	Lake Buena Vista
Period	7/1/96 → 7/3/96

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Control and Systems Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

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10.2514/6.1996-2733

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title = "Modeling of late-time ablation in teflon pulsed plasma thrusters",

abstract = "The MACH2 code has been modified to include non-monotonic heat flux to ablating surfaces in order to study late-time mass evolution in the pulsed plasma microthruster (PPT). Comparisons of predicted mass ablated and impulse bit with experimental data offer several insights into the operation of the PPT. Only a small fraction of the total ablated mass is produced during the current pulse and has the opportunity to be ionized and magnetically accelerated to high exhaust speeds. The rest gradually evaporates during much later times as a neutral gas that expands at relatively low speeds. Reduction of this low speed mass evolution would significantly improve the specific impulse and efficiency of the thruster.",

author = "Mikellides, {P. G.} and Turchi, {P. J.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 1996, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.; 32nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1996 ; Conference date: 01-07-1996 Through 03-07-1996",

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T1 - Modeling of late-time ablation in teflon pulsed plasma thrusters

AU - Mikellides, P. G.

AU - Turchi, P. J.

PY - 1996

Y1 - 1996

N2 - The MACH2 code has been modified to include non-monotonic heat flux to ablating surfaces in order to study late-time mass evolution in the pulsed plasma microthruster (PPT). Comparisons of predicted mass ablated and impulse bit with experimental data offer several insights into the operation of the PPT. Only a small fraction of the total ablated mass is produced during the current pulse and has the opportunity to be ionized and magnetically accelerated to high exhaust speeds. The rest gradually evaporates during much later times as a neutral gas that expands at relatively low speeds. Reduction of this low speed mass evolution would significantly improve the specific impulse and efficiency of the thruster.

AB - The MACH2 code has been modified to include non-monotonic heat flux to ablating surfaces in order to study late-time mass evolution in the pulsed plasma microthruster (PPT). Comparisons of predicted mass ablated and impulse bit with experimental data offer several insights into the operation of the PPT. Only a small fraction of the total ablated mass is produced during the current pulse and has the opportunity to be ionized and magnetically accelerated to high exhaust speeds. The rest gradually evaporates during much later times as a neutral gas that expands at relatively low speeds. Reduction of this low speed mass evolution would significantly improve the specific impulse and efficiency of the thruster.

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DO - 10.2514/6.1996-2733

M3 - Paper

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T2 - 32nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1996

Y2 - 1 July 1996 through 3 July 1996

ER -

Modeling of late-time ablation in teflon pulsed plasma thrusters

Abstract

Conference

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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