STUDIES IN THE HEATING OF A SUPERSONIC GAS STREAM BY A RADIO FREQUENCY DISCHARGE,
Abstract
The background and problem areas of the application of radio frequency discharge to heating a supersonic gas stream are discussed. An apparatus was constructed to permit the effectiveness of this technique to be studied by calorimetry. Results indicate that about 10% of the power taken from the a.c. line appeared as heat in the gas. Through modifications in the electrical circuitry this probably can be increased to 15%. This technique introduces a negligible percentage of unwanted contaminants. On the other hand, small quantities of C4F8 mixed with N2 were found to decrease the N2 recombination time substantially. Tests were also made using argon alone and mixed nitrogen. Maximum gas temperatures at the end of the nozzle were obtained with argon alone, being 660K. Limited spectroscopic and microwave interferometer investigations were also conducted. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0604193
Entities
People
- Frederick O. Smetana
Organizations
- University of Southern California