On the Reality of the Self-field Lorentz-Force Accelerators

The electromagnetics is a source of plasma generation and acceleration in magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters. The Lorentz force and the Joule heating are the momentum and energy sources which act on the flow field there. In the present study, their effects are analyzed theoretically and numerically. It is shown that the effect of the Joule heating is much more than the Lorentz force effect especially in the self-field thrusters. Also the effect of the Lorentz force depends on the Mach number beside the direction of action. The results show that it is almost impossible to have the self-field Lorentz force accelerator.