High-enthalpy portable RF plasmatron for nonequilibrium flow analysis

Ground test facilities such as plasma torches are critical to understanding hypersonic flow and high enthalpy fields as they simulate hypersonic velocities and reentry conditions. In particular, they are used to reproduce the aerothermodynamic heating experienced by the aircraft during the entire flight, as well as to test and certify heat shields and thermal protection systems. The purpose of this program is to develop an apparatus for high-enthalpy low-pressure plasma generation using an induction-coupled discharge. The installation is designed to develop new methods for plasma diagnostics and testing of thermal insulating materials. The installation provide a continuous plasma flow with a mass flow rate of up to 0.1 grams per second with a specific enthalpy of up to 20 MJ/kg. The installation uses a standard high-frequency generator at frequency of 13.56 MHz and RF power 1.5 kW.