Study of MHD Effects in the High-Enthalpy Shock Tunnel Göttingen (HEG) Using a 30 T-Pulsed Magnet System

Abstract

The interaction between high-enthalpy partially ionized gas flows and magnetic fields, mostly called magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), is regarded as a potential way to manipulate flows. One example is the wall heat-flux mitigation during spacecraft re-entry or entry into an atmosphere. However, the theoretical background and the practical application are still discussed controversially. One way to enhance the knowledge in this field is to utilize advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools in combination with experimental studies providing suitable validation data. The German Aerospace Center, DLR, has assembled an experiment for the high-enthalpy shock tunnel Göttingen (HEG) to provide data for verification and validation of numerical predictions. A 30 T-pulsed magnet, driven by a 100 kJ capacitor bank, generates the required field. This paper outlines the experimental requirements to obtain magnetohydrodynamic effects in high-enthalpy partially ionized gas flows and the final realization of the experiment. Selected results of experiments using flow stagnation enthalpies of 22 MJ/kg are presented.