Numerical simulation of gasdynamic phenomena in the supersonic flow of a viscous gas in a channel with a glow discharge

Experimental results involving the characteristics of laminar gas flow near the surface of an electrode are reported. The flow core had a Mach 3.18 velocity, an 80 K temperature, a 1 kPa pressure and was experiencing a wall temperature of 350 K while entering the discharge area. The electrode emitted a power density of 100 MW/cu m and reached a temperature above 1000 K, thus forming a thermal boundary layer. The physical conditions were modeled algebraically in terms of turbulence as described by Prandtl's hypothesis of a mixing length in a thin boundary layer. Thicker boundary layers indicate intense heat transfer and turbulence, fewer high temperature regions, and a possibility of pressure rise, boundary layer separation and consequent channel blocking. The conditions leading to separation can be ameliorated if some of the gas can escape through the wall.