SLOW FLOW OF A DISSOCIATED GAS ABOUT A CATALYTIC PROBE: A TECHNIQUE OF MEASURING CATALYTIC EFFICIENCIES OF SURFACES AND DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS OF A DISSOCIATED GAS
Abstract
A solution to the problem of the flow at low Reynolds number of a dissociated gas about a catalytic probe was obtained using the method of inner and outer expansions. The solution gives the atom concentration distribution about the probe as a function of the Reynolds number based on diffusion and the parameter K = k' a/D where k' is the effective speed of the surface reaction, D is the diffusion coefficient, and a the radius of the probe. It is shown that, from a measurement of the heat transfer to the probe and an independent measurement of the free-stream atom concentration, one can establish the catalytic efficiency of the surface when K << 1 and the diffusion coefficient when K >> 1. Conversely, knowing either the diffusion coefficient or the catalytic efficiency, the probe may be used to determine atom concentrations. The results of the theory are used to establish experimental co ditions in a glow discharge facility under which the sought data may be obtained. Plots of valid operating regimes of this facility are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0287095
Entities
People
- R.a. Hartunian
- S.w. Liu
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation