Flow Characterization and MHD Test in High Enthalpy Argon Flows

Abstract

For recent argon based magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) experiments in the DLR arc heated facility L2K the free stream plasma has been characterized. Suitable states for MHD test have been identified by maximizing the free stream electron density. Argon flows have been used due to the reduced chemical complexity of the plasma. The characterization methods include microwave interferometry (MWI), Langmuir probe measurements, Pitot probe profiles and spectroscopic methods like diode laser absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) and emission spectroscopy. The influence of a magnetic field on the heat transfer to the model has been studied with cylindrical stagnation point models, using both permanent and electromagnets with surface fields up to 0.54 T. To verify the influence of the field to the heat transfer both the shock distance and the surface heat flow have been observed.