Comparison of ion thruster plumes generated in the SPPL-1 facility with DSMC simulations using AMR

Burak Korkut, Deborah A. Levin, Jarred A. Young, Raymond J. Sedwick

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

Abstract

A novel grid approach called Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) using the Octree method for use within a kinetic Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Method (DSMC) and Particle in Cell (PIC) solver is described for an ion thruster application and results are compared with experimental findings. AMR is widely used in simulations characterized by multi-scale properties and serves as a powerful tool in terms of efficiency and flexibility. A single thruster configuration has been studied and it was found that the Charge Exchange (CEX) reactions have a major effect especially on the velocity field. Comparisons were made against experimental results in terms of energy distributions at two different axial locations. Finally, a three dimensional, three-thruster case was also simulated to see the effect on the plume and conditions in the domain which is hard to capture in experiments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781624102561
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting 2014 - National Harbor, United States
Duration: Jan 13 2014Jan 17 2014

Publication series

Name52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting

Other

Other52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNational Harbor
Period1/13/141/17/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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