Similar solutions for boundary layers in constant-temperature magneto-gasdynamic channel flow

Abstract

One of the problems that must be faced in the development of plasma accelerators is the growth of boundary layers upon the accelerator walls. The boundary-layer effects may be important not only from a heat-transfer standpoint, but because of the displacement effect on the main flow. For the steady-flow accelerator utilizing crossed electric and magnetic fields, such as that discussed by Resler and Sears, a very interesting situation may develop upon the walls that are perpendicular to the current flow. Since the wall must generally be cool, there is a tendency for the plasma conductivity near the wall to be lower than that in the relatively hot free stream. Consequently, the Joule heating associated with the continuous current will be highest in the neighborhood of the wall. This increased heating may produce an abnormal thermal boundary layer and, quite possibly, a severe heat-transfer condition.