Effect of finite boundary layer on the ionization instability in non-equilibrium MHD generators

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation of the effect of boundary layer on the ionization instability in non-equilibrium MHD plasmas: the Boltzmann transfer equation has been employed in the analysis. It is concluded that the effect of finite boundary layer thickness is to reduce the growth rate. Moreover, the growth rate is not constant across the channel cross-section: it is maximum on the axis and decreases away from the axis. These effects are more pronounced at higher Hall parameters. Further, it is shown that the effect of changing the flow velocity of the gas on the growth rate is more important than the effect of changing the wall temperature.