A kinetic-theory approach for computing chemical-reaction rates in upper-atmosphere hypersonic flows.
Recently proposed molecular-level chemistry models that predict equilibrium and nonequilibrium reaction rates using only kinetic theory and fundamental molecular properties (i.e., no macroscopic reaction-rate information) are investigated for chemical reactions occurring in upper-atmosphere hypersonic flows. The new models are in good agreement with the measured Arrhenius rates for near-equilibrium conditions and with both measured rates and other theoretical models for far-from-equilibrium conditions. Additionally, the new models are applied to representative combustion and ionization reactions and are in good agreement with available measurements and theoretical models. Thus, molecular-level chemistry modeling provides an accurate method for predicting equilibrium and nonequilibrium chemical-reaction rates in gases.
Department of Microscale Science and Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-0346, USA. magalli@sandia.gov
Michael A
MA
Gallis
Ryan B
RB
Bond
John R
JR
Torczynski