Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “compressible resistive MHD”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

15 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Field-aligned plasma flow in MHD simulations of magnetotail reconnection and the formation of boundary layers

The outflow from a reconnection region in a realistic magnetotail geometry is studied using a two-dimensional time-dependent, compressible, resistive MHD code. Two cases are emphasized: (1) the evolution of near-earth reconnection, which grows in the form of an internal unstable mode after gradual externally forced changes have initiated an anomalous dissipation process, and (2) the evolution of more distant reconnection under influence of a nonuniform inflow that forces reconnection to occur at a given location in the distant tail. In both cases, it is demonstrated that plasma flow is primarily parallel to the magnetic field in regions away from the localized area of reconnection and outside a narrow central layer.

Birn, J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

A Numerical Study of Resistivity and Hall Effects for a Compressible MHD Model

The effect of resistive, Hall, and viscous terms on the flow structure compared with compressible ideal MHD is studied numerically for a one-fluid non-ideal MHD model. The goal of the present study is to shed some light on the emerging area of non-ideal MHD modeling and simulation. Numerical experiments are performed on a hypersonic blunt body flow with future application to plasma aerodynamics flow control in reentry vehicles. Numerical experiments are also performed on a magnetized time-developing mixing layer with possible application to magnetic/turbulence mixing.

Yee, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Magnetic Reconnection in a Compressible MHD Plasma

Using steady-state resistive MHD, magnetic reconnection is reinvestigated for conditions of high resistivity/low magnetic Reynolds number, when the thickness of the diffusion region is no longer small compared to its length. Implicit expressions for the reconnection rate and other reconnection parameters are derived based on the requirements of mass, momentum, and energy conservation. These expressions are solved via simple iterative procedures. Implications specifically for low Reynolds number/high resistivity are being discussed

Hesse, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1995

Coronal heating by the resonant absorption of Alfven waves: Wavenumber scaling laws.

The importance of global modes in coronal loop heating is well established. In the present work the scaling of the global-mode resonant heating rate with the perturbation wavenumbers is studied with the numerical solution of the linearized time-dependent MHD equations for a full compressible, low-beta, resistive plasma using an implicit integration scheme. The numerical simulations demonstrate that the dissipation on inhomogeneties in the background Alfven speed occurs in narrow resonant layer with the highest heating rate at the global-mode frequency. The global-mode heating rate H (sub r) was found to scale as H (Sub r) approximately k (sub y) (exp 1.03) when k (sub z) = 0.1, and as H (sub r) approximately k (sub y) (exp -1.93) when k (sub z) = 0.75, where k (sub y) and k (sub z) are the wavenumbers in the perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field directions, respectively, while the dependence of H (sub r) on k (sub z) is more complex. The quality factor Q of the MHD resonance cavity scales as Q approximately k (sub y) (exp -1.8) for k (sub z) = 0.75 and as Q approximately k (sub y) (exp -1.46) for k (sub z) = 0.1. The numerically determined heating rate scaling, the global-mode fequency, and the quality factor are in good agreement with the analytical linear theory. The magnitude of the perturbed velocities was found to decrease with k (sub y). Assuming typical coronal loop parameters (B (sub 0) = 100-200 G, upsilon (sub A) = 2000-4000 km/s), the Alfven waves can supply the required heating to a low-Q loops.

Ofman, L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Coronal heating by the resonant absorption of Alfven waves - Importance of the global mode and scaling laws

Numerical simulations of the MHD equations for a fully compressible, low-beta, resistive plasma are used to study the resonance absorption process for the heating of coronal active region loops. Comparisons with more approximate analytic models show that the major predictions of the analytic theories are, to a large extent, confirmed by the numerical computations. The simulations demonstrate that the dissipation occurs primarily in a thin resonance layer. Some of the analytically predicted features verified by the simulations are (a) the position of the resonance layer within the initial inhomogeneity; (b) the importance of the global mode for a large range of loop densities; (c) the dependence of the resonance layer thickness and the steady-state heating rate on the dissipation coefficient; and (d) the time required for the resonance layer to form. In contrast with some previous analytic and simulation results, the time for the loop to reach a steady state is found to be the phase-mixing time rather than a dissipation time. This disagreement is shown to result from neglect of the existence of the global mode in some of the earlier analyses. The resonant absorption process is also shown to behave similar to a classical driven harmonic oscillator.

Steinolfson, Richard S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Investigation of turbulent processes in magnetospheric boundary layers

A self-consistent non-evolving two dimensional slab model of a viscous low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) coupled to the ionosphere was developed by Phan, et al., (1989). Numerical results from the model and possible use of observations to determine the model parameters are discussed. The dynamical model developed by Lotko, et al., (1987) was used by Lotko and Shen (1991) to examine dynamical processes relevant to the LLBL with particular application to post-noon auroral shear layers. Initial results from a magnetohydrodynamic study of flank-side mangetopause boundary configuration are described. Effects of compressibility, scalar viscosity, and electrical resistivity are included in the MHD equations.

Lotko, William↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the influence of an external electric field on magnetotail reconnection

Magnetotail reconnection is studied under the influence of a dawn to dusk electric field applied at the high-latitude tail boundary using a two-dimensional resistive MHD code. It is found that the basic unstable sequence of tearing and plasmoid formation and ejection was not changed if the external electric field was fairly uniform. The externally forced compression, however, could shorten the onset time and the growth time of the evolution. The faster growth can be understood by the fact that the forced compression gradually alters the lobe field strength and the plasma sheet width and reduces thereby the relevant Alfven time. In fact, if the evolution of the cases with imposed electric field is rescaled on the basis of these characteristic parameters, a good quantitative agreement with the case without external electric field is found.

Birn, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Coronal evolution due to shear motion

Numerical solutions of the compressible MHD equations are used here to simulate the evolution of an initially force-free magnetic field in a static corona as a result of slow photospheric motion of the magnetic field footpoints. Simulations have been completed for values of plasma beta from 0.1 to 0.5, maximum shear velocities from 0.5 to 10.3 km/s, and with various amounts of resistive and viscous dissipation. In all cases the evolution proceeds in two qualitatively different stages. In the earlier stage, the field evolves gradually with the field lines, expanding outward at a velocity not unlike the shear velocity. Then, the field begins to expand much more rapidly until it reaches velocities exceeding a characteristic Alfven velocity. Inclusion of the thermodynamics, gravity, and compressibility is shown to have only a quantitative effect on the onset of the eruptive phase, illustrating that the primary interactions are between the dynamics and the magnetic field evolution.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Adaptive Numerical Dissipative Control in High Order Schemes for Multi-D Non-Ideal MHD

The goal is to extend our adaptive numerical dissipation control in high order filter schemes and our new divergence-free methods for ideal MHD to non-ideal MHD that include viscosity and resistivity. The key idea consists of automatic detection of different flow features as distinct sensors to signal the appropriate type and amount of numerical dissipation/filter where needed and leave the rest of the region free of numerical dissipation contamination. These scheme-independent detectors are capable of distinguishing shocks/shears, flame sheets, turbulent fluctuations and spurious high-frequency oscillations. The detection algorithm is based on an artificial compression method (ACM) (for shocks/shears), and redundant multi-resolution wavelets (WAV) (for the above types of flow feature). These filter approaches also provide a natural and efficient way for the minimization of Div(B) numerical error. The filter scheme consists of spatially sixth order or higher non-dissipative spatial difference operators as the base scheme for the inviscid flux derivatives. If necessary, a small amount of high order linear dissipation is used to remove spurious high frequency oscillations. For example, an eighth-order centered linear dissipation (AD8) might be included in conjunction with a spatially sixth-order base scheme. The inviscid difference operator is applied twice for the viscous flux derivatives. After the completion of a full time step of the base scheme step, the solution is adaptively filtered by the product of a 'flow detector' and the 'nonlinear dissipative portion' of a high-resolution shock-capturing scheme. In addition, the scheme independent wavelet flow detector can be used in conjunction with spatially compact, spectral or spectral element type of base schemes. The ACM and wavelet filter schemes using the dissipative portion of a second-order shock-capturing scheme with sixth-order spatial central base scheme for both the inviscid and viscous MHD flux derivatives and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method are denoted.

Yee, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Adaptive Numerical Dissipation Control in High Order Schemes for Multi-D Non-Ideal MHD

The required type and amount of numerical dissipation/filter to accurately resolve all relevant multiscales of complex MHD unsteady high-speed shock/shear/turbulence/combustion problems are not only physical problem dependent, but also vary from one flow region to another. In addition, proper and efficient control of the divergence of the magnetic field (Div(B)) numerical error for high order shock-capturing methods poses extra requirements for the considered type of CPU intensive computations. The goal is to extend our adaptive numerical dissipation control in high order filter schemes and our new divergence-free methods for ideal MHD to non-ideal MHD that include viscosity and resistivity. The key idea consists of automatic detection of different flow features as distinct sensors to signal the appropriate type and amount of numerical dissipation/filter where needed and leave the rest of the region free from numerical dissipation contamination. These scheme-independent detectors are capable of distinguishing shocks/shears, flame sheets, turbulent fluctuations and spurious high-frequency oscillations. The detection algorithm is based on an artificial compression method (ACM) (for shocks/shears), and redundant multiresolution wavelets (WAV) (for the above types of flow feature). These filters also provide a natural and efficient way for the minimization of Div(B) numerical error.

Yee, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Externally driven magnetic reconnection

A model is presented in which externaly driven reconnection is simulated by solving the MHD equations in an initially plane current sheet. Magnetic reconnection in the earth's magnetotail is widely believed to be the direct cause of magnetospheric substorms. Both 2-D and 3-D versions of the model have been developed. It is postulated that connection in the tail is triggered by a local compression of the plasma sheet which results from an invasion of the solar wind into the magnetotail. Thus, the simulation is started by introducing flow from the lobes normal to the plasma sheet. When resistivity is generated in a local region of the neutral sheet, reconnection develops and magnetic energy is converted into plasma bulk flow. Although the driven reconnection model is highly simplified, it can aid in understanding many features of substorms in the tail; in particular, results show that rapid flows both earthward and tailward of the neutral line and the nightside substorm current system are natural consequences of driven magnetic reconnection.

Walker, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Inductive Measurement of Plasma Jet Electrical Conductivity (MSFC Center Director's discretionary Fund)

Measurement of plasma jet electrical conductivity has utility in the development of explosively driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy converters as well as magnetic flux compression reaction chambers for nuclear/chemical pulse propulsion and power. Within these types of reactors, the physical parameter of critical importance to underlying MHD processes is the magnetic Reynolds number, the value of which depends upon the product of plasma electrical conductivity and velocity. Therefore, a thorough understanding of MHD phenomena at high magnetic Reynolds number is essential, and methods are needed for the accurate and reliable measurement of electrical conductivity in high-speed plasma jets. It is well known that direct measurements using electrodes suffer from large surface resistance, and an electrodeless technique is desired. To address this need, an inductive probing scheme, originally developed for shock tube studies, has been adapted. In this method, the perturbation of an applied magnetic field by a plasma jet induces a voltage in a search coil, which, in turn, can be used to infer electrical conductivity through the inversion of a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind. A 1-in.-diameter probe using a light-gas gun. Exploratory laboratory experiments were carried out using plasma jets expelled from 15-g shaped charges. Measured conductivities were in the range of 4 kS/m for unseeded octol charges and 26 kS/m for seeded octol charges containing 2-percent potassium carbonate by mass.

Turner, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS2008

The Adaptively-Refined MHD Solver (ARMS)

ARMS is a robust code for solving the single-fluid, fully compressible equations of magnetohydrodynamics. In this presentation I will describe how to access and run ARMS and how to use HelioSpace to analyze the results. The main features of the code are the following: 1. Equations are solved in either Cartesian or Spherical coordinates. For the latter, either a linear or a Log(r) coordinate can be used. 2. The latest flux-corrected-transport schemes developed at NRZ, are used to advance the convective equations. All waves and shocks are accurately captured. 3. A fully adaptive grid can be used. The code incorporates the PARAMESH technology for block-adaptation. Arbitrary adaptation criteria can be specified. 4. The code maintains a divergence-free magnetic field to machine accuracy throughout all refinement and de-refinement. 5. A uniform resistivity and thermal conduction can be included. Solution is either explicit or implicit. 6. Arbitrary boundary and initial conditions can be used in either Cartesian or spherical coordinates. 7. An accompanying visualization package, HelioSpace, is available for viewing and analyzing the native ARMS output, (without need for interpolating onto a structured grid).

Antichos, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Three-dimensional MHD modeling of magnetotail dynamics for different polytropic indices

The paper analyzes the 3D resistive tearing instability in a magnetotail configuration by means of a resistive MHD code for various forms of the energy equation, including ohmic and compressional heating. A complete derivation of the set of MHD equations from a kinetic formalism is presented, with all simplifying assumptions noted. Emphasis is placed on the changes in magnetotail evolution caused by a variation of the assumed value of the polytropic exponent gamma, representing the ratio of specific heat in the energy equation which closes the set of MHD equations. Within the gamma range of 2/3-4, a tearing mode is found to develop in all cases. Certain properties, such as the formation and ejection of a plasmoid, associated with the formation of the reversal region of the north-south component of the magnetic field, and strong earthward and tailward flow fields prevail as qualitative features independent of the value of gamma chosen. Ohmic dissipation is found to be the major source of the heating, while adiabatic or nonadiabatic compression may contribute primarily in the closed field region earthward of the reconnection site.

Hesse, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1994

Coronal heating by the resonant absorption of Alfven waves: The effect of viscous stress tensor

The time-dependent linearized magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations for a fully compressible, low-beta, viscoresistive plasma are solved numerically using an implicit integration scheme. The full viscosity stress tensor (Braginskii 1965) is included with the five parameters eta(sub i) i = 0 to 4. In agreement with previous studies, the numerical simulations demonstrate that the dissipation on inhomogeneities in the background Alfven speed occurs in a narrow resonant layer. For an active region in the solar corona the values of eta(sub i) are eta(sub o) = 0.65 g/cm/s, eta(sub 1) = 3.7 x 10(exp -12) g/cm/s, eta(sub 2) = 4 eta(sub 1), eta(sub 3) = 1.4 x 10(exp -6) g/cm/s, eta(sub 4) = 2 eta(sub 3), with n = 10(exp 10)/cu cm, T = 2 x 10(exp 6) K, and B = 100 G. When the Lundquist number S = 10(exp 4) and R(sub 1) much greater than S (where R(sub 1) is the dimensionless shear viscous number) the width of the resistive dissipation layer d(sub r) is 0.22a (where a is the density gradient length scale) and d(sub r) approximately S(exp -1/3). When S much greater than R(sub 1) the shear viscous dissipation layer width d(sub r) scales as R(sub 1)(exp -1/3). The shear viscous and the resistive dissipation occurs in an overlapping narrow region, and the total heating rate is independent of the value of the dissipation parameters in agreement with previous studies. Consequently, the maximum values of the perpendicular velocity and perpendicular magnetic field scale as R(sub 1)(exp -1/3). It is evident from the simulations that for solar parameters the heating due to the compressive viscosity (R(sub 0) = 560) is negligible compared to the resistive and the shear viscous (R(sub 1)) dissipation and it occurs in a broad layer of order a in width. In the solar corona with S approximately equals 10(exp 4) and R(sub 1) approximately equals 10(exp 14) (as calculated from the Braginskii expressions), the shear viscous resonant heating is of comparable magnitude to the resistive resonant heating.

Ofman, L.↗