Plasma Wind Tunnel

About Plasma Wind Tunnel

Overview

A plasma wind tunnel (PWT) is an advanced ground test facility designed to replicate extreme aerodynamic heating and high-Mach re-entry conditions. By generating high-temperature plasma flows, the system enables accurate simulation of hypersonic environments for material testing, thermal protection system (TPS) validation, and aerospace research.

Engineered for precision and reliability, the PWT delivers controlled high-enthalpy flow conditions, making it ideal for research institutions, aerospace laboratories, and defense applications.

Technical Datasheet (Generalized Specifications)

Flow Characteristics

• Mach Number Range: 5 20+
• Flow Velocity: 1.5 7 km/s
• Plasma Temperature: 2,000 15,000 K
• Enthalpy Range: 5 50 MJ/kg

Plasma Generation

• Plasma Source: DC Arc / RF Induction / Plasma Torch
• Power Input: 100 kW 5 MW
• Working Gases: Air, Nitrogen, Argon, Oxygen mixtures

Test Section

• Test Chamber Pressure: 0.01 1 atm
• Nozzle Type: Converging-Diverging (De Laval)
• Test Section Diameter: 50 500 mm
• Sample Mounting: Water-cooled sting/probe system

Thermal & Cooling Systems

• Cooling Method: Closed-loop water cooling
• Heat Flux Capability: 0.5 20 MW/m

Instrumentation & Control

• Temperature Measurement: Thermocouples, Pyrometers
• Pressure Sensors: High-frequency transducers
• Data Acquisition: High-speed DAQ system (kHzMHz range)
• Optical Diagnostics: Schlieren / Spectroscopy (optional)

Vacuum & Exhaust System

• Vacuum Pumping Capacity: Up to 10 mbar (pre-test)
• Exhaust Handling: Gas quenching and filtration system

Safety & Automation

• Automated Control System: PLC/SCADA-based
• Safety Features: Overheat protection, arc stability control, emergency shutdown

Key Applications

• Thermal Protection System (TPS) testing
• Hypersonic vehicle research
• Re-entry simulation studies
• Material ablation and erosion testing
• Plasma flow physics research