Plasma Modeling for Aerospace Applications

The modeling of plasmas at atmospheric pressure is challenging due to the many physical phenomena involved and the transient and multiscale character of high-pressure discharges. Yet, it is a very promising tool for many industrial applications. In this presentation, plasma modeling for aerospace applications are focused on. First, plasma modeling can be used to explore promising technologies that are considered for future engine or aircraft designs. MHD (MagnetoHydroDynamics) and out-of-equilibrium plasma models will be described that make it possible to study into details many promising plasma actuator technologies for plasma assisted combustion and flow control in various Mach regimes. Second, plasma models are already employed in the aerospace industry as natural plasma discharges such as lightning may induce important constraints on aerospace structures. As an example, the modeling of lightning stroke to aircraft will be emphasized in the context of lightning safety. Finally, challenging issues in high pressure plasma modeling and numerical strategies that are currently under development will be discussed. The goal is to improve the versatility of current plasma models and to extend the range of applications that may benefit from predictive plasma and MHD numerical simulations.