Prediction of Basic Operation of Electro-Spray Thrusters Using High Fidelity Modeling

Abstract

The objective of this proposal is to develop a high fidelity, physically accurate, three dimensional, unsteady model of the porous flow, ion mode electro-spray systems to computationally analyze the various failure modes of electrospray thrusters to optimize operational lifetime. The major life-limiting physics is grid impingement within the extractor and accelerator grids in the Interaction Region. This failure mode is the result of off-axis propellant emission due to overspray and Coulombic expansion of the beam, therefore requiring a comprehensive analysis of the droplet dynamics throughout the system.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Mar 07, 2023
Source ID
FA95502110045

Entities

People

  • Iain D. Boyd

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Regents of the University of Colorado
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster