This paper reports the results of an ongoing theoretical and experimental investigation of the energy conversion of laser sustained plasmas in flowing argon, for application to rocket propulsion. Theoretical modeling results indicate the thermal efficiency can be optimized at a given power and beam geometry by proper selection of flow velocity. Experimental results of plasma absorption and thermal efficiency for two beam geometries at powers as high as 8 kW have been obtained from calorimeter and thermocouple measurements, respectively. Absorption fractions ranging from 57-85 % and thermal efficiencies ranging from 7 % to 21 % have been demonstrated. Preliminary results of twin plasmas simultaneously sustained by one laser are presented and for some conditions, two low power plasmas are more efficient than a single high power plasma at the same total power. Downstream temperature profile measurements for twin plasmas are also reported.
Energy conversion in laser sustained argon plasmas for application to rocket propulsion
Energieumwandlung in lasergetragenen Argonplasmas fuer die Anwendung bei Raketenantrieben
AIAA-Papers ; Jun ; 1-11
1987
11 Seiten, 14 Bilder, 19 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Energy Conversion in Laser Sustained Air Plasmas for Application to Rocket Propulsion
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2002
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