Abstract
The electrothermal chemical launch is a new concept hypervelocity launch technology that the propellant is ignited by high-temperature plasma. Understanding the heat and mass transfer mechanism between plasma and liquid and choosing a reasonable injection pressure is crucial for a reliable launch. Experimental and numerical studies are carried on to investigate the plasma-liquid interaction mechanism, as well as the effect of injection pressures ranging from 2 MPa to 8 MPa. As plasma expands in a stepped-wall chamber, the plasma jet's axial penetration speed is decreasing and the surface area is increasing linearly. The plasma front surface varies from an arc shape to a cone shape, and the necking phenomenon forms near the step. Vortexes generated in the interaction flow field are divided into four categories. There is intensive pressure variation near the nozzle and a pressure peak in the pressure decrease region. Besides, increasing the injection pressure enhances the plasma expansion ability and promotes the phenomena which increase the plasma surface. However, increasing the injection pressure aggravates the flow field instability. Formulas for estimating the plasma jet's axial penetration distance and surface area growth rate are summarized for choosing a reasonable injection pressure.
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