Analysis of chemical nonequilibrium and elemental demixing within carbon dioxide plasma flows for mars entry application

P. Rini, M. Panesi, J. Thömel, O. Chazot, Gérard Degrez

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A detailed analysis of carbon dioxide plasma flows produced within the torch of the VKI plasmatron is presented. Several torch operating pressures ranging from 20 kPa up to 40 kPa have been investigated to assess their influence on the flow behavior. Two models for the description of the flow chemistry have been used : the chemical non equilibrium model and the local thermodynamic equilibrium model with variable elemental fraction. As pressure increases, the equilibrium results approach the nonequilibrium ones showing that, for the purpose of determining catalytic properties of thermal protection materials to be used during Mars planetary entry, a lighter but accurate formalism can be used.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCollection of Technical Papers - 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting
Pages16102-16108
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting 2007 - Reno, NV, United States
Duration: Jan 8 2007Jan 11 2007

Publication series

NameCollection of Technical Papers - 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting
Volume23

Other

Other45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno, NV
Period1/8/071/11/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Aerospace Engineering

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