Navier-Stokes computation of flows in arc heaters

The existing computer code ARCFLO, which calculates the flow through the co nstricted-arc heater, is modified and expanded by the use of the modern com putational fluid dynamics technique. The entire flowfield within an are-hea ted wind tunnel, that is, from the upstream electrode chamber to the nozzle exit, is described by the Navier-Stokes equations, but the joule heating a nd radiative transfer phenomena are described as in the ARCFLO code. The mo deling of turbulence in the constrictor region is different from that in AR CFLO. The code developed in the present work, tentatively designated as Arc flo2, requires only the mass flow rate and electrical current as inputs and describes the flow conditions from the upstream electrode region to the no zzle throat. The rode reproduces the measured operating characteristics of several wind tunnels closer than the ARCFLO code.