Magnetized plasma flow over an insulator at high magnetic Reynolds number

Abstract

A new similarity method to solve boundary-layer problems is proposed. The approach presented consists of applying a simple geometric transformation to the coordinates and solving the resulting system of ordinary differential equations with a numerical solver. This method was applied to a compressible magnetodynamic boundary layer, but can also be applied to many boundary-layer problems traditionally studied using the Illingworth-Stewartson transformation. Results show that the conversion of the electromagnetic energy into thermal energy leads to high temperatures and heat transfer rates near the insulator surface, and that under certain conditions the boundary layer draws the flow towards the insulating surface. 7 refs.