High-Fidelity Simulation of Hypersonic Weakly Ionized Plasmas with Dynamically Adaptive Mesh

The goal of the proposed research is to develop advanced computational tool for high-fidelity simulations of hypersonic non-equilibrium plasmas. Octree adaptive Cartesian mesh will be used for automatic mesh generation and dynamic mesh adaptation to plasma properties, particularly important for hypersonic flows with strong shock waves, transient laminar and turbulent domains with large gradients of flow parameters, and complex geometries. The plasma model will be applicable for both high temperature and low-temperature non-equilibrium weakly ionized flows and include a Boltzmann solver for electrons. This project will combine previous experience of the University of Michigan group in hypersonic plasmas with CFDRC experience in electron kinetics and gas discharge plasmas. The Unified Flow Solver developed at CFDRC for simulations of rarefied and continuum flows will be used as a framework. During Phase I, we will assemble the developed physical models and numerical algorithms into a prototype computational tool for adaptive multi-scale plasma simulations. In Phase II, the proposed software will be fully developed and validated for several benchmark cases of interest to the Air Force. We will demonstrate the new capabilities for hypersonic external flows and study communication blackout and plasma flow control by electromagnetic fields. BENEFIT: The developed computational tool will be utilized for evaluation of plasma phenomena on hypersonic vehicles and ground test facilities. The target applications will include hypersonic flight problems, electric propulsion, and plasma plumes expanding through nozzles. The methodology and software will be extendable for analysis of high-speed plasma jets for material processing and biomedical applications, plasma assisted ignition and combustion. Potential users include Air Force, NASA, and commercial companies utilizing plasma technologies for aerospace, propulsion, power, material processing, and other applications.