NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF PLASMA SHEATH MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC CONTROL FOR HIGH ENTHALPY FLOW FIELDS

Based on a two-temperature with finite-rate chemical reactions magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, a coupled calculation method is established for the high enthalpy thermochemical non-equilibrium flow field, external magnetic field and Hall electric field. The experimental data of Radio Attenuation Measurement-C-II are used to validate the numerical model established in the present study. Numerical simulation was adopted to analysis the effect of MHD control on typical reentry vehicles plasma sheath parameters under different flight conditions. Results demonstrate that the developed multi-field coupling numerical calculation method accurately predicts the aerodynamic physical environment of the reentry vehicle. The interaction between the induced electric current and the magnetic field generates the Lorenz force, which decelerates the plasma flow in the shock layer. In consequence, the kinetic energy is transformed into internal energy, which increases the area of high temperature region. On the other hand, the Lorenz force can change the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters of plasma sheath. The influence of Lorentz force on plasma distribution and electromagnetic wave propagation increases with the increase in flight altitude. At the altitude of 71.73km, the electron number density decreased by two order of magnitude under the effect of Lorentz force near the antenna window region, and the thickness of plasma sheath increases greatly.