Particle Simulation of Plume-Plume and Plume-Surface Interactions

Numerical modeling of two- and three-dimensional low Reynolds number gas flows from small nozzles has been performed using the direct simulation (DSMC) method. The objective of this effort is to gain an improved understanding of performance and plume interaction phenomena for low thrust devices and thus improve the design and optimization process for a variety of micro-propulsion systems. Simulations were performed for a wide range of flow parameters using the SMILE parallel DSMC code. Validation has been conducted through comparison of mass flow and thrust values obtained numerically with results of experimental measurements carried out recently by AFRL researchers.