Prediction of Electro-Spray Thruster Operation 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 modeling will begin from a strong basis of prior work that was successful in predicting key performance parameters of a FEEP thruster and extended in the last two years for ES systems. 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. Direct comparisons will be made of model predictions with detailed plume measurements of AFRL porous flow emitters that are under way in the group of Professor Ben Jorns at the University of Michigan. Comparisons will also be made with all relevant data sets generated at AFRL in their current ES activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310020
Entities
People
- Iain D. Boyd
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Air Force