Determination of the fraction of electrical energy released in the oncoming supersonic airflow using long spark discharge

Abstract

In present work an indirect measurement of the fraction of stored electrical energy, that by initiating long spark discharge of submicrosecond duration transforms into air heating, that moves near the surface of an aerodynamic model at supersonic speed with Mach number M = 2, was carried out. Using the Particle Image Velocimetry method the flow velocity behind the front of an induced quasi-cylindrical shock wave that occurs when heat is released with long spark discharge was measured. This process was modeled in a two-dimensional formulation using a numerical simulation with OpenFOAM package. By comparing the data obtained in the experiment and in the numerical simulation the value of the fraction of stored electrical energy, which goes to the local heating of air, was determined.