Introduction to the Special Section on Ab Initio Approaches for Nonequilibrium Flows

Journal Article · 30 September 2018 · Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.T5602 · OSTI ID:1498481

Alexeenko, Alina ^[1]; Gallis, Michael A. ^[2]

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1. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Modeling of chemical and ionization reactions at the extreme conditions of upper-atmosphere hypersonic flow has been critical for spacecraft design from the Apollo era to the present because chemical activity in the flow reduces heat transfer. Nitrogen, which behaves as an inert gas in ambient flows, becomes chemically active under conditions of hypersonic reentry (-10,000 K). Atmospheric chemical reactions during hypersonic reentry are dominated by dissociation of diatomic nitrogen and oxygen molecules and exchange reactions involving diatomic molecules and single atoms. At higher temperatures, ionization also occurs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1498481
• Report Number(s): SAND-2018-12612J; 668738
• Journal Information: Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, Journal Name: Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 32; ISSN 0887-8722
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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