Nonequilibrium Nozzle Flow of a Partially Ionized Two-Temperature Nitrogen

Abstract

A set of equations governing the quasi-one-dimensional, nonequilibrium flow of partially ionized nitrogen gas is formulated, where the inelastic sources of both the electron-catalyzed ionization-recombination and the exchange with vibrational energy of N₂ are taken into account in the electron energy equation. The set of equations is applied to the study of the flow properties of partially ionized nitrogen gas in a convergent-divergent nozzle. Calculations show that at a low plenum temperature, the exchange with N₂ vibration is the primary source of electron energy in the nonequilibrium expansion through the nozzle, and at a high plenum temperature, the electron-catalyzed ionization-recombination reaction becomes an important source of the electron energy.