Continuum Modeling of Gas Flows in Micronozzles

Gas flows in De-Laval micronozzles are studied numerically with a 2D continuum axisymmetric model, which solves the governing equations by a control volume method. The continuum model is validated with experimental data and the comparisons on exit thrust values are in good agreement except at low Reynolds number. Parametric studies are conducted for the flows ranging from continuum to transitional flow regimes. The nozzle throat diameters are varied from 1 to 0.2 mm and the stagnation pressures from 17 to 1 Torr to investigate the effects of nozzle throat diameter, stagnation pressure and their combination. Slip and no-slip boundary conditions are employed in the studies.