Anode surface temperature profile in MPD thrusters

Sheshadri, TS (2000) Anode surface temperature profile in MPD thrusters. In: VACCUM, 54 (09). pp. 904-909.

PDF sdarticle.pdf_full.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (141kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

A mathematical formulation of the magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster internal flow problem developed earlier is linked to constraints imposed by an external electrical power supply by the use of an energy equation and an integral energy condition applied over the thruster volume. The formulation is used to obtain anode surface temperature profiles as a function of electrical input power for three different propellants. The results indicate that if the input power is too little or too much the thruster does not perform as an efficient electromagnetic accelerator and the anode surface heats up resulting in erosion and thruster destruction. In the range of parameters studied, argon propellant gave the best performance with a specific impulse of 2000 s, at a mass flow rate of 565 mgm/s and a power input of 3 kW. This makes the argon MPD thruster an ideal choice for use on INSAT class satellites for orbit transfer and station keeping.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	VACCUM
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copy right belongs to Elsevier
Keywords:	Materials Science;Multidisciplinary;Physics, Applied
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Aerospace Engineering(Formerly Aeronautical Engineering)
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2008 06:02
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:52
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/16605

Actions (login required)

View Item