This book presents studies of complexity in the context of nonequilibrium phenomena using theory, modeling, simulations, and experiments, both in the laboratory and in nature.

The report summarizes the research completed under this contract. The work has been reported in 19 journal or proceedings articles, and in 7 published reports. Areas studied include transport coefficients in partially ionized two-temperature plasmas, the effects of nonelastic collisions on the kinetic-theory of high temperature gases, ionization rates including nonelastic collision effects, the nonequilibrium boundary layer in flowing plasmas, vibrational interactions in rapidly expanding gases, stability and breakdown phenomena in plasmas flowing through magnetic fields, current distributions and discharge characteristics, and diagnostic techniques. The work is summarized under four broad categories : MHD Generator-Related Experiments, Properties of Nonequilibrium Collision Dominated Plasmas, Diagnostics, and Nonequilibrium Measurements in Rapidly Expanded Flows. (Author).

This report summarizes work accomplished during the period February 15, 1974 to February 14, 1975, and describes at greater length results obtained in two areas. The first area is concerned with the effects of random inhomogeneities on the performance of MHD generators. A nonlinear theory is presented which accounts for the lowering of the effective electrical conductivity and Hall parameter by fluctuations of arbitrary magnitude in the local electrical conductivity. The second area is concerned with achieving uniform discharges in laser gases flowing at supersonic speeds. Experimental results are presented which describe the performance of a simple double-discharge arrangement for achieving stable CW excitation in N2 and N2/CO mixtures.

The report discusses progress on work pertaining to non-equilibrium phenomena in flowing plasmas. Measurements of vibration-translation and vibration-vibration relaxation rates in rapid expansions of mixtures of N2 and CO2 in argon have been made. The results generally exceed those measured in shock-heating and laser-fluorescence experiments, and indicate a deficiency in available theory. Experiments have been conducted to investigate the influence of channel size on the ionization instability, in order to provide a means of extending information on small scale devices to predictions for full sized power generators. It was found, for example, that the effective Hall parameter decreased with increasing channel size. A mathematical model has been formulated to predict the effect of N2 addition on the non-equilibrium properties of argon and alkali-metal-seed plasmas. Agreement between calculated and experimental values of electrical conductivity was quite satisfactory. (Author).

This authoritative reference presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of plasma science and technology fundamentals over the past five decades. One of this field’s principal challenges has been its multidisciplinary nature requiring coverage of fundamental plasma physics in plasma generation, transport phenomena under high-temperature conditions, involving momentum, heat and mass transfer, and high-temperature reaction kinetics, as well as fundamentals of material science under extreme conditions. The book is structured in five distinct parts, which are presented in a reader-friendly format allowing for detailed coverage of the science base and engineering aspects of the technology including plasma generation, mathematical modeling, diagnostics, and industrial applications of thermal plasma technology. This book is an essential resource for practicing engineers, research scientists, and graduate students working in the field.