In this paper, we consider the application of the equation of non-classical mathematical physics to magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium (in the case of a mixed magnetic field) for magnetic stars. First, we give the neces...In this paper, we consider the application of the equation of non-classical mathematical physics to magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium (in the case of a mixed magnetic field) for magnetic stars. First, we give the necessary concepts about the equation of non-classical mathematical physics and the possibility of their applicability to astrophysical problems. The conditions of magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium are determinate, and self-consistence provides the means to derive the corresponding partial differential equations describing this equilibrium in a magnetosphere magnetic star. Namely, this process is to the non-classical equations of mathematical physics in cases of types. Keldysh-Tricomi, a common case equation of non-classical type, is at first introduced by the author. Using the two main physical efficiencies of MHD. A mathematical model of a poloidal-toroidal mixed magnetic field for magnetic stars is constructed, and this model is classified with respect to degenerating case equations. According to Hopf’s theorem, Maxwell’s equation and the magnetic force balance equation constructed equilibrium conditions of the poloidal-toroidal of the magnetic field for a magnetic star. At the same time, the taken example, which is the self-consistency of this model by observation dates, is investigated. At first, in an application, the method of straight lines for recurrent formulas of calculation of magnetic flux and stream functions is used. The physical means, the corresponding singular point of the sonic line, cutoff, and resonance phenomena are considered. In this case, a general solution equation is found, which is interpreted by this phenomenon as a cutoff, resonance. Finally, this obtained solution gives the conditions of magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium on the magnetosphere of magnetic stars. Methodology and obtained equations are new approaches that are at first considered.展开更多
This study investigates the effect of a rotating gliding discharge on synthetic biogas combustion at atmospheric pressure.Synthetic biogas was produced by mixing methane and carbon dioxide.Three mixtures were consider...This study investigates the effect of a rotating gliding discharge on synthetic biogas combustion at atmospheric pressure.Synthetic biogas was produced by mixing methane and carbon dioxide.Three mixtures were considered:100%/0%,70%/30%,and 50%/50%of methane and carbon dioxide,respectively.The plasma effect was investigated in a low-swirl-number burner equipped with a high-voltage electrode to produce gliding discharges.The effect of plasma on the stability limits of the flame is reported for several electrical powers.During plasma-assisted combustion,the lean blow-off limits of biogas-air flames were significantly improved,which agrees with what can be found in the literature for other fuels.The electrical parameters of the discharge and the plasma emissions were measured using electric probes and emission spectroscopy,respectively.The mixture with the CO_(2)dilution was associated with a higher reduced electric field and higher ion production.A better understanding of the excited-species concentration evolution during plasma is necessary and will be investigated in future work.展开更多
A three-fluid equilibrium plasma with bulk plasma and energetic electrons has been observed on the Xuanlong-50(EXL-50) spherical torus, where the energetic electrons play a crucial role in sustaining the plasma curren...A three-fluid equilibrium plasma with bulk plasma and energetic electrons has been observed on the Xuanlong-50(EXL-50) spherical torus, where the energetic electrons play a crucial role in sustaining the plasma current and pressure. In this study, the equilibrium of a multi-fluid plasma was investigated by analyzing the relationship between the external vertical magnetic field(B_(V)),plasma current(I_(p)), the poloidal ratio(β_(p)) and the Shafranov formula. Remarkably, our research demonstrates some validity of the Shafranov formula in the presence of multi-fluid plasma in EXL-50 spherical torus. This finding holds significant importance for future reactors as it allows for differentiation between alpha particles and background plasma. The study of multi-fluid plasma provides a significant reference value for the equilibrium reconstruction of burning plasma involving alpha particles.展开更多
Ammonia is gaining increasing attention as a green alternative fuel for achieving large-scale carbon emission reduction. Despite its potential technical prospects, the harsh ignition conditions and slow flame propagat...Ammonia is gaining increasing attention as a green alternative fuel for achieving large-scale carbon emission reduction. Despite its potential technical prospects, the harsh ignition conditions and slow flame propagation speed of ammonia pose significant challenges to its application in engines. Non-equilibrium plasma has been identified as a promising method, but current research on plasma-enhanced ammonia combustion is limited and primarily focuses on ignition characteristics revealed by kinetic models. In this study, low-temperature and low-pressure chemistry in plasma-assisted ammonia oxidative pyrolysis is investigated by integrated studies of steady-state GC measurements and mathematical simulation. The detailed kinetic mechanism of NH_(3) decomposition in plasma-driven Ar/NH_(3) and Ar/NH_(3)/O_(2) mixtures has been developed. The numerical model has good agreements with the experimental measurements in NH_(3)/O_(2) consumption and N_(2)/H_(2) generation, which demonstrates the rationality of modelling. Based on the modelling results, species density profiles, path flux and sensitivity analysis for the key plasmaproduced species such as NH_(2), NH, H_(2), OH, H, O, O(^(1)D), O_(2)(a^(1)△_(g)), O_(2)(b^(1)∑_(g)^(+)), Ar^(*), H^(-), Ar^(+), NH_(3)^(+), O_(2)^(-) in the discharge and afterglow are analyzed in detail to illustrate the effectiveness of the active species on NH_(3) excitation and decomposition at low temperature and relatively higher E/N values. The results revealed that NH_(2), NH, H as well as H_(2) are primarily generated through the electron collision reactions e + NH_(3)→ e + NH_(2)+ H, e + NH_(3)→ e + NH + H_(2) and the excited-argon collision reaction Ar^(*) + NH_(3)+ H → Ar + NH_(2)+ 2H, which will then react with highly reactive oxidative species such as O_(2)^(*), O^(*), O, OH, and O_(2) to produce stable products of NOx and H_(2)O. NH_(3)→ NH is found a specific pathway for NH_(3) consumption with plasma assistance, which further highlights the enhanced kinetic effects.展开更多
Generally, the non-equilibrium plasma is produced at low pressure by a glow discharge (1.33Pa-1.33 kPa) including the radio frequency (13.56 MHz), microwave (2450 MHz), AC or DC high voltage discharges. As a method to...Generally, the non-equilibrium plasma is produced at low pressure by a glow discharge (1.33Pa-1.33 kPa) including the radio frequency (13.56 MHz), microwave (2450 MHz), AC or DC high voltage discharges. As a method to directly apply energy to a reaction system, some successful applications have been obtained in the fields such as chemical synthesis and decomposition at plasma, sputtering and filming, deposition at the gas state, polymerization, modification on the material surface, etching, ashing at low temperature and so on. For example,展开更多
Quantitative behavior of non-equilibrium excitation by direct electron impact in low-temperature dry reforming of methane was investigated by integrated studies of experimental validation and kinetic modeling.A plasma...Quantitative behavior of non-equilibrium excitation by direct electron impact in low-temperature dry reforming of methane was investigated by integrated studies of experimental validation and kinetic modeling.A plasma chemistry kinetic mechanism incorporating the reactions involving vibrational excitation of CH4,CO2,H2 and CO molecules as well as the low temperature He/CH4/CO2 conversion pathways was developed and validated.The calculation results showed that at lower E/N values(<150 Td)large population of energized electrons generated in a He/CH4/CO2 discharge resulted in an intensification of vibrational excitation.Despite the large generation of vibration,the vibrationally excited molecules in a 0.5/0.25/0.25 of He/CH4/CO2 discharge mixture were easy to relax,due to the strong coupling of the vibration of different molecules in a gas mixture.The results showed that the moderate levels of the vibrational excitation,such as CO2(v10,11,...,18)and CO(v9,10),presented most efficient in the stimulation of species generation including CO,CH2 O,CH3 OH,C2 H4 and C2 H6.Specifically,under conditions of E/N of 108 Td,14.9%of CO formation was estimated from the recombination of CO2(v)with CH3 and H,CO2(v)+CH3→CH3 O+CO,CO2(v)+H→CO+OH.Also,4.8%of C2 H4 formation was from the recombination reaction CH4(v)+CH→C2 H4+H.These results highlight the strong roles of vibrational states in a complex plasma chemistry system.展开更多
This study investigated the hydrogenation of silicon tetrachloride （SIC14） in microwave plasma. A new launcher of argon （Ar） and hydrogen （Ha） plasma was introduced to produce a non-thermodynamic equilibrium act...This study investigated the hydrogenation of silicon tetrachloride （SIC14） in microwave plasma. A new launcher of argon （Ar） and hydrogen （Ha） plasma was introduced to produce a non-thermodynamic equilibrium activation plasma. The plasma state exhibited a characteristic temperature related to the equilibrium constant, which was termed ＂Reactive Temperature＂ in this study. Thus, the hydrogenation of SIC14 in the plasma could easily be handled with high conversion ratio and very high selectivity to trichlorosilane （SiHC13）. The effects of SiC14/Ar and H2/Ar ratios on the conversion were also investigated using a mathematical model developed to determine the op- timum experimental parameters. The highest hydrogenation conversion ratio was produced at a H2/SiCl4 molar ratio of 1, with mixtures of SICl4 and H2 to Ar molar ratio of 1.2 to 1.4. In this plasma, the special system pressure and incident power were required for the highest energy efficiency of hydrogenating SIC14, while the optimum system pressure varies from 26.6 to 40 kPa depending on input power, and the optimum feed gas （He and SiCI4） molar en- ergy input was about 350 kJ. mo1-1.展开更多
Microwave-induced metal discharge(MMD)technology offers a novel methodology for efficient gas-phase catalytic reaction due to its unique heating effect,plasma effect and discharge effect.Herein,we successfully used a ...Microwave-induced metal discharge(MMD)technology offers a novel methodology for efficient gas-phase catalytic reaction due to its unique heating effect,plasma effect and discharge effect.Herein,we successfully used a special kind of uniformly distributed particles with synergistic microwave-induced fluidized-metal discharge(MFD)effect.A lab-scale atmospheric quartz tube fluidized bed reactor was designed.Apparatus like highspeed camera,fiber spectrometer and infrared thermometer were used to record the discharge phenomena.The effects of operating conditions such as gas velocity,microwave power,carrier gas type,and metal type on the discharge behavior were investigated in detail.Subsequently,the MFD was applied into the methane dry reform reaction(MDR)with excellent conversion compared with the conventional heating conditions.Gratifyingly,the metal particles can both be the converter of microwave and the catalyst of the reaction.The reported conclusion provides a novel way to intensification the reaction process and utilize microwave energy.展开更多
It is necessary to reduce the currents of poloidal field(PF) coils as small as possible, during the static equilibrium design procedure of Experimental Advanced Superconductive Tokamak(EAST). The quasi-snowflake(QSF) ...It is necessary to reduce the currents of poloidal field(PF) coils as small as possible, during the static equilibrium design procedure of Experimental Advanced Superconductive Tokamak(EAST). The quasi-snowflake(QSF) divertor configuration is studied in this paper. Starting from a standard QSF plasma equilibrium, a new QSF equilibrium with 300 kA total plasma current is designed. In order to reduce the currents of PF6 and PF14, the influence of plasma shape on PF coil current distribution is analyzed. A fixed boundary equilibrium solver based on a non-rigid plasma model is used to calculate the flux distribution and PF coil current distribution. Then the plasma shape parameters are studied by the orthogonal method. According to the result, the plasma shape is redefined, and the calculated equilibrium shows that the currents of PF6 and PF14 are reduced by 3.592 kA and 2.773 kA, respectively.展开更多
A physical model of analysing the behaviour of impurities out of coronal equilibrium in tokamak plasmas has been proposed. Through solving the time-dependent rate equations including the effects of atomic processes an...A physical model of analysing the behaviour of impurities out of coronal equilibrium in tokamak plasmas has been proposed. Through solving the time-dependent rate equations including the effects of atomic processes and the particle transport losses, the ionization state distribution is obtained for a range of low Z impurities such as helium, carbon, oxygen and argon. By using the ionization state distribution of these impurities, the radiation rate coefficients and the mean charge state changing with plasma temperature are calculated. The results show that the mean charge state （Z） is sensitively dependent on the parameter neT, and this is the reason why the radiation power of impurities under non-coronal equilibrium conditions is several orders of magnitude higher than that under coronal equilibrium condition.展开更多
Plasma equilibrium has been calculated using an analytical method. The plasma profiles of the current density, safety factor, pressure and magnetic surface function are obtained. The analytical solution of the Grad–S...Plasma equilibrium has been calculated using an analytical method. The plasma profiles of the current density, safety factor, pressure and magnetic surface function are obtained. The analytical solution of the Grad–Shafranov（GS） equation is obtained by the variable separation method and compared with the computed results of the equilibrium fitting code EFIT.展开更多
Magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） accelerator is proposed as a next generation propulsion system. It can be used to increase the performance of a propulsion system. The objective of this study is to investigate the performa...Magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） accelerator is proposed as a next generation propulsion system. It can be used to increase the performance of a propulsion system. The objective of this study is to investigate the performance of MHD accelerator using non-equilibrium air plasma as working gas. In this study, the fundamental performance of MHD accelerator such as flow performance and electrical performance is evaluated at different levels of applied magnetic field using I-D numerical simulation. The numerical simulation is developed based on a set of differential equations with MHD approximation. To solve this set of differential equations the MacCormack scheme is used. A specified channel designed and developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Centre is used in the numerical simulation. The composition of the simulated air plasma consists of seven species, namely, N2, N, O2, O, NO, NO＋, and e-. The performance of the non-equilibrium MHD accelerator is also compared with the equilibrium MHD accelerator.展开更多
文摘In this paper, we consider the application of the equation of non-classical mathematical physics to magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium (in the case of a mixed magnetic field) for magnetic stars. First, we give the necessary concepts about the equation of non-classical mathematical physics and the possibility of their applicability to astrophysical problems. The conditions of magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium are determinate, and self-consistence provides the means to derive the corresponding partial differential equations describing this equilibrium in a magnetosphere magnetic star. Namely, this process is to the non-classical equations of mathematical physics in cases of types. Keldysh-Tricomi, a common case equation of non-classical type, is at first introduced by the author. Using the two main physical efficiencies of MHD. A mathematical model of a poloidal-toroidal mixed magnetic field for magnetic stars is constructed, and this model is classified with respect to degenerating case equations. According to Hopf’s theorem, Maxwell’s equation and the magnetic force balance equation constructed equilibrium conditions of the poloidal-toroidal of the magnetic field for a magnetic star. At the same time, the taken example, which is the self-consistency of this model by observation dates, is investigated. At first, in an application, the method of straight lines for recurrent formulas of calculation of magnetic flux and stream functions is used. The physical means, the corresponding singular point of the sonic line, cutoff, and resonance phenomena are considered. In this case, a general solution equation is found, which is interpreted by this phenomenon as a cutoff, resonance. Finally, this obtained solution gives the conditions of magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium on the magnetosphere of magnetic stars. Methodology and obtained equations are new approaches that are at first considered.
基金partly funded by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology,through the baseline fund BAS/1/1396-01-01the partial financial support from Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Nos.2021YFSY0042 and 2021YFG0360)。
文摘This study investigates the effect of a rotating gliding discharge on synthetic biogas combustion at atmospheric pressure.Synthetic biogas was produced by mixing methane and carbon dioxide.Three mixtures were considered:100%/0%,70%/30%,and 50%/50%of methane and carbon dioxide,respectively.The plasma effect was investigated in a low-swirl-number burner equipped with a high-voltage electrode to produce gliding discharges.The effect of plasma on the stability limits of the flame is reported for several electrical powers.During plasma-assisted combustion,the lean blow-off limits of biogas-air flames were significantly improved,which agrees with what can be found in the literature for other fuels.The electrical parameters of the discharge and the plasma emissions were measured using electric probes and emission spectroscopy,respectively.The mixture with the CO_(2)dilution was associated with a higher reduced electric field and higher ion production.A better understanding of the excited-species concentration evolution during plasma is necessary and will be investigated in future work.
文摘A three-fluid equilibrium plasma with bulk plasma and energetic electrons has been observed on the Xuanlong-50(EXL-50) spherical torus, where the energetic electrons play a crucial role in sustaining the plasma current and pressure. In this study, the equilibrium of a multi-fluid plasma was investigated by analyzing the relationship between the external vertical magnetic field(B_(V)),plasma current(I_(p)), the poloidal ratio(β_(p)) and the Shafranov formula. Remarkably, our research demonstrates some validity of the Shafranov formula in the presence of multi-fluid plasma in EXL-50 spherical torus. This finding holds significant importance for future reactors as it allows for differentiation between alpha particles and background plasma. The study of multi-fluid plasma provides a significant reference value for the equilibrium reconstruction of burning plasma involving alpha particles.
基金the grant support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21975018, 22278032)。
文摘Ammonia is gaining increasing attention as a green alternative fuel for achieving large-scale carbon emission reduction. Despite its potential technical prospects, the harsh ignition conditions and slow flame propagation speed of ammonia pose significant challenges to its application in engines. Non-equilibrium plasma has been identified as a promising method, but current research on plasma-enhanced ammonia combustion is limited and primarily focuses on ignition characteristics revealed by kinetic models. In this study, low-temperature and low-pressure chemistry in plasma-assisted ammonia oxidative pyrolysis is investigated by integrated studies of steady-state GC measurements and mathematical simulation. The detailed kinetic mechanism of NH_(3) decomposition in plasma-driven Ar/NH_(3) and Ar/NH_(3)/O_(2) mixtures has been developed. The numerical model has good agreements with the experimental measurements in NH_(3)/O_(2) consumption and N_(2)/H_(2) generation, which demonstrates the rationality of modelling. Based on the modelling results, species density profiles, path flux and sensitivity analysis for the key plasmaproduced species such as NH_(2), NH, H_(2), OH, H, O, O(^(1)D), O_(2)(a^(1)△_(g)), O_(2)(b^(1)∑_(g)^(+)), Ar^(*), H^(-), Ar^(+), NH_(3)^(+), O_(2)^(-) in the discharge and afterglow are analyzed in detail to illustrate the effectiveness of the active species on NH_(3) excitation and decomposition at low temperature and relatively higher E/N values. The results revealed that NH_(2), NH, H as well as H_(2) are primarily generated through the electron collision reactions e + NH_(3)→ e + NH_(2)+ H, e + NH_(3)→ e + NH + H_(2) and the excited-argon collision reaction Ar^(*) + NH_(3)+ H → Ar + NH_(2)+ 2H, which will then react with highly reactive oxidative species such as O_(2)^(*), O^(*), O, OH, and O_(2) to produce stable products of NOx and H_(2)O. NH_(3)→ NH is found a specific pathway for NH_(3) consumption with plasma assistance, which further highlights the enhanced kinetic effects.
文摘Generally, the non-equilibrium plasma is produced at low pressure by a glow discharge (1.33Pa-1.33 kPa) including the radio frequency (13.56 MHz), microwave (2450 MHz), AC or DC high voltage discharges. As a method to directly apply energy to a reaction system, some successful applications have been obtained in the fields such as chemical synthesis and decomposition at plasma, sputtering and filming, deposition at the gas state, polymerization, modification on the material surface, etching, ashing at low temperature and so on. For example,
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.21676024)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.3182029)。
文摘Quantitative behavior of non-equilibrium excitation by direct electron impact in low-temperature dry reforming of methane was investigated by integrated studies of experimental validation and kinetic modeling.A plasma chemistry kinetic mechanism incorporating the reactions involving vibrational excitation of CH4,CO2,H2 and CO molecules as well as the low temperature He/CH4/CO2 conversion pathways was developed and validated.The calculation results showed that at lower E/N values(<150 Td)large population of energized electrons generated in a He/CH4/CO2 discharge resulted in an intensification of vibrational excitation.Despite the large generation of vibration,the vibrationally excited molecules in a 0.5/0.25/0.25 of He/CH4/CO2 discharge mixture were easy to relax,due to the strong coupling of the vibration of different molecules in a gas mixture.The results showed that the moderate levels of the vibrational excitation,such as CO2(v10,11,...,18)and CO(v9,10),presented most efficient in the stimulation of species generation including CO,CH2 O,CH3 OH,C2 H4 and C2 H6.Specifically,under conditions of E/N of 108 Td,14.9%of CO formation was estimated from the recombination of CO2(v)with CH3 and H,CO2(v)+CH3→CH3 O+CO,CO2(v)+H→CO+OH.Also,4.8%of C2 H4 formation was from the recombination reaction CH4(v)+CH→C2 H4+H.These results highlight the strong roles of vibrational states in a complex plasma chemistry system.
文摘This study investigated the hydrogenation of silicon tetrachloride （SIC14） in microwave plasma. A new launcher of argon （Ar） and hydrogen （Ha） plasma was introduced to produce a non-thermodynamic equilibrium activation plasma. The plasma state exhibited a characteristic temperature related to the equilibrium constant, which was termed ＂Reactive Temperature＂ in this study. Thus, the hydrogenation of SIC14 in the plasma could easily be handled with high conversion ratio and very high selectivity to trichlorosilane （SiHC13）. The effects of SiC14/Ar and H2/Ar ratios on the conversion were also investigated using a mathematical model developed to determine the op- timum experimental parameters. The highest hydrogenation conversion ratio was produced at a H2/SiCl4 molar ratio of 1, with mixtures of SICl4 and H2 to Ar molar ratio of 1.2 to 1.4. In this plasma, the special system pressure and incident power were required for the highest energy efficiency of hydrogenating SIC14, while the optimum system pressure varies from 26.6 to 40 kPa depending on input power, and the optimum feed gas （He and SiCI4） molar en- ergy input was about 350 kJ. mo1-1.
基金The authors are grateful for financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21878219)the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFB0604900).
文摘Microwave-induced metal discharge(MMD)technology offers a novel methodology for efficient gas-phase catalytic reaction due to its unique heating effect,plasma effect and discharge effect.Herein,we successfully used a special kind of uniformly distributed particles with synergistic microwave-induced fluidized-metal discharge(MFD)effect.A lab-scale atmospheric quartz tube fluidized bed reactor was designed.Apparatus like highspeed camera,fiber spectrometer and infrared thermometer were used to record the discharge phenomena.The effects of operating conditions such as gas velocity,microwave power,carrier gas type,and metal type on the discharge behavior were investigated in detail.Subsequently,the MFD was applied into the methane dry reform reaction(MDR)with excellent conversion compared with the conventional heating conditions.Gratifyingly,the metal particles can both be the converter of microwave and the catalyst of the reaction.The reported conclusion provides a novel way to intensification the reaction process and utilize microwave energy.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51677051)the Institute of Plasma Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘It is necessary to reduce the currents of poloidal field(PF) coils as small as possible, during the static equilibrium design procedure of Experimental Advanced Superconductive Tokamak(EAST). The quasi-snowflake(QSF) divertor configuration is studied in this paper. Starting from a standard QSF plasma equilibrium, a new QSF equilibrium with 300 kA total plasma current is designed. In order to reduce the currents of PF6 and PF14, the influence of plasma shape on PF coil current distribution is analyzed. A fixed boundary equilibrium solver based on a non-rigid plasma model is used to calculate the flux distribution and PF coil current distribution. Then the plasma shape parameters are studied by the orthogonal method. According to the result, the plasma shape is redefined, and the calculated equilibrium shows that the currents of PF6 and PF14 are reduced by 3.592 kA and 2.773 kA, respectively.
文摘A physical model of analysing the behaviour of impurities out of coronal equilibrium in tokamak plasmas has been proposed. Through solving the time-dependent rate equations including the effects of atomic processes and the particle transport losses, the ionization state distribution is obtained for a range of low Z impurities such as helium, carbon, oxygen and argon. By using the ionization state distribution of these impurities, the radiation rate coefficients and the mean charge state changing with plasma temperature are calculated. The results show that the mean charge state （Z） is sensitively dependent on the parameter neT, and this is the reason why the radiation power of impurities under non-coronal equilibrium conditions is several orders of magnitude higher than that under coronal equilibrium condition.
文摘Plasma equilibrium has been calculated using an analytical method. The plasma profiles of the current density, safety factor, pressure and magnetic surface function are obtained. The analytical solution of the Grad–Shafranov（GS） equation is obtained by the variable separation method and compared with the computed results of the equilibrium fitting code EFIT.
文摘Magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） accelerator is proposed as a next generation propulsion system. It can be used to increase the performance of a propulsion system. The objective of this study is to investigate the performance of MHD accelerator using non-equilibrium air plasma as working gas. In this study, the fundamental performance of MHD accelerator such as flow performance and electrical performance is evaluated at different levels of applied magnetic field using I-D numerical simulation. The numerical simulation is developed based on a set of differential equations with MHD approximation. To solve this set of differential equations the MacCormack scheme is used. A specified channel designed and developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Centre is used in the numerical simulation. The composition of the simulated air plasma consists of seven species, namely, N2, N, O2, O, NO, NO＋, and e-. The performance of the non-equilibrium MHD accelerator is also compared with the equilibrium MHD accelerator.
