Transverse electric discharges in supersonic air flows: Simulation of the effects influencing the heating of gas in discharge channel

The Navier-Stokes equations are used to numerically investigate the gasdynamic aspects of interaction between a transverse discharge and supersonic flow in a model of heat source. The effect made by the jet and by the gasdynamic interaction of discharge channels on temperature is analyzed for plane flows with a pair of identical heat sources. Axisymmetric flows are calculated for a uniform incident flow. A marked variation of the flow parameters in the discharge zone and in the wake is observed if the power of energy input corresponds to, or is higher than, the gas enthalpy flow incident via the characteristic cross, section of heat source. The calculation results are compared with experimental data. Explanations are provided of the results of experiments in heating a supersonic flow by a transverse electric discharge.