Three dimensional simulation of ion thruster plumes with AMR and parallelization strategies

Burak Korkut, Pengxiang Wang, Zheng Li, Deborah A. Levin

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. 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. A three dimensional, three-thruster case was also simulated to see the effect on the plume and on the corresponding mesh structure when there is no axial or radial symmetry present. Finally, a parallel computing framework is introduced in order to extend studies to more computationally extensive cases and decrease the simulation times significantly.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781624102226
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, JPC 2013 - San Jose, United States
Duration: Jul 14 2013Jul 17 2013

Publication series

Name49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
Volume1 PartF

Conference

Conference49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, JPC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose
Period7/14/137/17/13

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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