Analysis and computation of heat transfer around a cylinder in argon plasma cross flow

This paper is concerned with combined analytical/numerical studies of plasma heat transfer to a cylinder in cross flow. Analytical expressions of the specific heat flux around a cylinder are obtained based on simplified assumptions of the plasma properties by use of the Merk-Chao method. Comparisons with corresponding computational results based on actual properties of an argon plasma show that the simplified analytical solution can predict the correct value of the heat flux if a temperature-dependent correction factor is included. Computational and corrected analytical results are consistent with experimental data for the front part of a cylinder. The physical implications of the correction factor are discussed.