Numerical Simulation of Array Bridge Foil Electrical Exploding

In order to improve the energy utilization efficiency of the metal bridge foil and increase the function range of plasma beam, metal array bridge foils were designed in the present paper. The processes of array bridge foil electrical exploding were simulated based on the finite element fluid dynamics method. By using the phase change fraction and the plasma state equation considering the degree of ionization, the number of particles, and the Coulomb interaction between particles, the numerical simulation of the plasma and shock wave generated by the electric explosion of a metallic conductor under the action of a pulsed large current is realized. The evolution laws and characteristics of the plasma flow field were analyzed comparatively, with considering the electrical exploding in the acceleration chamber channel and the semi-free field without acceleration chamber. The calculation results show that the pressure of plasma beam superimposed area is high. The initial shock wave velocity and the plasma jet velocity of the electric explosion without the acceleration chamber are higher than that in acceleration chamber. In the case of having acceleration chamber, there exists a high pressure and low velocity boundary layer near the pipe wall due to the viscous effect of gas. The shock wave structure in the acceleration chamber is more complicated.