Cross-flow blowing of a two-dimensional stationary arc

The effect of cross-flow blowing on a two-dimensional stationary arc between a pair of electrodes has been studied theoretically. It is demonstrated in the analysis that the electrons emitted from the cathode undergo collisions with the heavy particles and are deflected in the flow direction by the component of a collisional force associated with the relative difference in flow velocities between electrons and heavy particles. The resultant motion of the electrons describing the arc is thus caused by a combined action of the collisional force that results from the externally applied electric field. An expression is given which enables computation of the arc shape to be made provided the velocity distribution of the cross-flow and the distribution of the externally applied electric field are prescribed. The analysis has been applied for a case in which an analytical expression for the distribution of the externally applied electric field is available. An electrical discharge between two point electrodes was chosen with a uniform velocity distribution of the cross-flow. Numerical results are presented for the maximum deflection as a function of a blowing parameter. In addition, it is shown that the temperature distribution within the arc is asymmetric. © 1972 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.