AS4013 Electric Propulsion Systems Syllabus:

AS4013 Electric Propulsion Systems Syllabus – Anna University PG Syllabus Regulation 2021

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course will enables students
1. To get familiarize with the basic the operating principles of the various electrical thrusters.
2. To learn the concept of plasma kinetic theory
3. To gain idea on the elements of gas kinetics.
4. To impart knowledge on the classes of MPD thrusters.
5. To study the importance of electric propulsion for space applications.

UNIT I PHYSICS OF IONIZED GASE

Atomic structure of gases – Ionization processes – Particle collisions in an ionized gas Electrical conductivity of an ionized gas – Kinetic Theory – Application of ionized gas flows.

UNIT II INTRODUCTION TO THE BASIC PHYSICS OF ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Historical outline – Definition of Electric Propulsion – High impulse Space Missions – Exhaust velocity and specific impulse – Power supply penalty – Electric charges and Electrostatic fields – Currents and Magnetic interactions – Time dependent fields and Electromagnetic wave propagation.

UNIT III ELECTRO-THERMAL PROPULSION

One dimensional model – Enthalpy of high temperature gases – Frozen flow efficiency – Resistojets – Electrical discharges – Arcjets – Operation and Analysis – Materials – advantages and Disadvantages

UNIT IV ELECTROSTATIC PROPULSION

One dimensional space-charge flows – Basic relationships – The acceleration- deceleration concept – Ion engines – Design and Performance – Hall effect – Hall thrusters – Field emission electric propulsion (FEEP) – Colloid thrusters

UNIT V ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION

The Lorentz force – Magneto gas dynamic channel flow – Ideal steady flow acceleration -Thermal and viscous losses – Geometry considerations – Self induced fields – Sources of the conducting gas – The magneto plasma dynamic arc – Magneto- plasma dynamic (MPD) thrusters – Pulsed plasma acceleration – Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT) – Quasi steady acceleration – Pulsed inductive acceleration – Travelling wave acceleration

TOTAL: 45 PERIODS

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, students will be
CO1: Able to classify and describe the electric thrusters for space applications.
CO2: Able to perform the preliminary sizing of a test facility for electric propulsion.
CO3: Able to perform calculations of first approximation on plasmas of electric propulsion.
CO4: Able to set theory models for the study of electric propulsion systems.
CO5: Able to acquire knowledge on the basics of rarefied gas dynamics and plasma physics.

REFERENCES:

1. George W. Sutton, “Engineering Magnetohydrodynamics”, Dover Publications Inc., New York, 2006.
2. Robert G. Jahn, “Physics of Electric Propulsion”, Dover Publications, 2012.
3. Sutton,GP “Rocket Propulsion Elements”, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 9th Edition, 2016.