Influence of anode radius on anode power deposition of MegnetoPlasmaDynamic thruster

Abstract

BackgroundWith the development of human aerospace industry, it is necessary to develop propulsion systems suitable for different space mission scenarios. MegnetoPlasmaDynamic thruster (MPDT), which is similar to the principle of magnetic confinement fusion, is a typical representative of electromagnetic thruster, which stands out among many electric thrusters because of its superior performance in thrust power ratio and specific impulse. Anode power deposition is the result of the interaction between plasma and wall during MPDT operation. It is one of the main mechanisms of power loss of this type of thruster, accounting for 40%~90% of the total power, which seriously reduces the efficiency of thruster.PurposeThis study aims to solve the problem of low efficiency of thruster by investigating the influence of anode radius on the efficiency of thruster from the perspective of anode power deposition.MethodsFirst of all, based on MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) equations, numerical models for radial discharge parameters and physical model for anode power deposition were established. Then, the influences of anode radius on discharge parameters, anode power deposition and anode power deposition fraction were studied on the basis of these models by numerical calculation method. Finally, a water-cooled structure anode was designed, and the effectiveness of its heat dissipation structure was verified by thermal simulation.ResultsThe results show that with the increase of anode radius, the electron density and ion velocity are increased, the anode power deposition fraction is decreased whilst the anode power deposition is increased. The thruster efficiency is improved by increasing the anode radius. The thermal simulation results show that when the input power deposition of the water-cooled structure anode is about 3 kW, the corresponding temperature difference of the anode cooling water is 5 K.ConclusionsThis study verifies the reliability of the physical model of anode power deposition, indicating that increasing the anode radius is an effective means to improve the efficiency of the thruster.

Keywords

• megnetoplasmadynamic thruster
• anode power deposition
• numerical calculation
• thermal simulation
• magnetohydrodynamic