MHD Iteraction over an Axisymmetric Body in a Hypersonic Flow

In the present work experiments on the Magneto-Hydro-Dynamic (MHD) interaction around a conical test body in a hypersonic argon flow, are compared with the results of an MHD code which assumes low magnetic Reynolds numbers. The aim of the experiment is to produce a data base to be used for the validation of the numerical code. The experiments are carried out in the high-enthalpy arc-heated hypersonic wind tunnel – HEAT - of Alta (Pisa, Italy). The code consists of a two dimensional time dependent fluid-dynamic model and a stationary two dimensional electrodynamic model. The electrical transport properties are assumed to be known. A sensitivity analysis is performed on the impact on the calculation of the electric transport properties of the plasma. The effect of the Hall current density on the efficiency of the MHD interaction are analyzed as well. A good agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data are obtained.