Computational modeling of test articles in the PlasmatronX inductively coupled plasma facility

Singh, Abhyudaya

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130199 Copy

Description

Title

Computational modeling of test articles in the PlasmatronX inductively coupled plasma facility

Author(s)

Singh, Abhyudaya

Issue Date

2025-07-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Panesi, Marco

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Hypersonics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Plasma
• Validation

Abstract

This thesis presents a detailed numerical investigation of plasma–material interactions under non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) conditions, using the PlasmatronX inductively coupled plasma (ICP) facility at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the reference testbed. The study is motivated by the need for accurate prediction of surface heat flux and species behavior in high-enthalpy environments relevant to atmospheric reentry and thermal protection system (TPS) design. A multi-physics simulation framework was employed, coupling a finite-volume NLTE flow solver (HEGEL), a finite-element electromagnetic solver (FLUX), and a detailed thermochemical and transport property library (PLATO). The framework accounts for multi-temperature thermochemistry, electromagnetic power deposition, and finite-rate gas–surface interactions. Three complementary studies were performed. First, axisymmetric NLTE simulations of a calorimetric probe (isoQ30) were conducted across varying RF(Radio Frequency) power and chamber pressures. A stagnation-line boundary layer formulation was used to estimate wall catalytic activity, and the computed heat fluxes and nozzle exit enthalpies showed strong agreement with experimental measurements. Second, simulations at 55~kW and 200~mbar were validated against TALIF-based profiles of temperature and atomic species, demonstrating accurate reproduction of experimental trends. Third, two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations over a graphite wedge test article were carried out, incorporating finite-rate gas–surface reactions. These analyses revealed significant production of carbonaceous species and highlighted the role of lateral spreading, vortex roll-up, and compositional mixing in shaping the heat flux distribution. The obtained results underscore the importance of detailed surface chemistry modeling, boundary layer resolution, and multi-dimensional flow effects in the accurate prediction of plasma–surface interactions. The simulation framework developed in this work offers a robust foundation for future experimental validation, coupling with material response models, and the design of advanced TPS configurations for reentry applications.

Graduation Semester

2025-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130199

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Abhyudaya Singh

Owning Collections