Development of a Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling Capability in Loci/CHEM

The implementation and validation of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling capability in the Loci/CHEM solver is discussed herein. Using the low magnetic Reynolds number assumption, Maxwell’s equations are reduced to a single Poisson equation for the electric potential. The Hall effect and ion slip phenomena are modeled through the use of an effective tensor electrical conductivity and a generalized Ohm’s law. The linear system for the electric potential is solved with PETSc and coupled with the plasma flow equations via the Lorentz force and Joule heating source terms. Validation is achieved via comparison to analytical solutions and results from other solvers for three cases of increasing complexity: a flat plate boundary value problem, Poiseuille flow between segmented electrodes, and an MHD heat shield application. The capability developed in the present work extends the Loci/CHEM solver to a new class of simulations.