A typical 2-grid ion engine has an useable grid area with a diameter of 40 cm, an
Question:
A typical 2-grid ion engine has an useable grid area with a diameter of 40 cm, an acceleration voltage of 1300 V, and a 1.5 mm gap between the plasma and acceleration grids. It operates with xenon. The grid transparency is 80%. A typical propellant utilization efficiency is m = 0.85. The length of the chamber is 0.2 m; the effective area for collection of electrons is 0.01 m2 ; the Clausius coefficient is 0.5, and the temperature of the neutrals is 450 C. These parameters remain fixed throughout the operation of the thruster. You can assume that the ionization potential of xenon (12.13 V) is similar to its average excitation potential.
the ion engine is operated at 110 W discharge power. Compute the plasma density, electron temperature, plasma potential, beam current and thrust.
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer
ISBN: 978-0471457282
6th Edition
Authors: Incropera, Dewitt, Bergman, Lavine