plasma modeling with CFX
 

Hi,
I'm a beginner in ANSYS CFX, and I need to model and simulate the plasma/electric arc between two electrodes in vacuum!
Can everyone help me with this subject? I tried to find tutorials in this field but...nothing! Nothing related to model and simulate plasma in vacuum!
Please help me!

Thats because CFX cannot do this. CFX models the Navier Stokes equations. Vacuum means no fluid and the Navier Stokes equations are the equations for fluid flow. Looks like you need a Maxell equation solver with plasma physics.

I'm certainly no expert in this area, but you might be able to model this in CFX. Take a look at the following link (and use Chrome to translate it):
http://www.cfx-berlin.de/de/entwicklung/choparc/
There's an MHD module in CFX that requires an extra license. In this case I don't think there was a vacuum; possibly you could use a low pressure or perhaps even "solve fluids = f" to turn off the flow equations so you're only solving Maxwell?

Hi ghorrocks,
thank you for reply; when I wrote I have to model plasma in vacuum, I need to model plasma, not vacuum! So, there is a fluid between two electrodes, but for only a couple of ms! But, there is plasma, so there is a fluid, so, in my opinion, CFX can solve this problem; the question is: HOW?

Hi stumpy,
thank you for reply; Yes, I know that link, and I know their activity in this field; they are dealing with modeling and simulation of different type of electric arc, but till now, or I didn't observed, they have no application of electric arc in vacuum!
Yes, I have also the Maxwell equations, I have all the theory, the problem is how to implement it in CFX?
Do you have any ideea?

Maxwell eqn is already in CFX, it's part of the MHD module. A plasma cannot be modeled as a normal fluid in a CFD solver - different physics is happening in a plasma.

I think it can solved with CFX solver, but till now i'am straggling to find out apply the boundary conditions, it gave me errors when i change the energy source from Voltage to Ampere