PIC-DSMC Simulation of a Hall Thruster Plume with Charge Exchange Effects Using pdFOAM

• Published in: Aerospace Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 44
• Main Author: Kang, Sang Hun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-01-2023
• Subjects: Atoms & subatomic particles; Charge exchange; charge exchange effects; Direct simulation Monte Carlo method; Electric fields; Electric propulsion; exhaust plume; Exhaust systems; Hall thrusters; Monte Carlo simulation; Numerical analysis; PIC-DSMC; Propulsion systems; Satellites
• ISSN: 2226-4310; 2226-4310
• DOI: 10.3390/aerospace10010044

To develop technologies for the stable operation of electric propulsion systems, the effects of charge exchange (CEX) on the exhaust plume of a Hall thruster were studied using the particle-in-cell direct simulation Monte Carlo (PIC-DSMC) method. For the numerical analysis, an OpenFOAM-based code, pdFOAM, with a simple electron fluid model was employed. In an example problem using the D55 Hall thruster exhaust plume, the results showed good agreement with experimental measurements of the plasma potential. In the results, CEX effects enhanced Xe+ particle scattering near the thruster exit. However, due to the increase in the plasma potential with CEX effects, fewer Xe2+ particles were near the thruster exit with CEX effects than without CEX effects.