Jet characteristics and nozzle parameter coupling effects in a high-enthalpy inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) facilities are widely utilized in materials processing and characterization, and aerospace engineering applications. This work investigates jet characteristics and nozzle parameter coupling effects in a high-power ICP wind tunnel using an axisymmetric numerical model, encompassing the plasma generator, mixing chamber, nozzle, vacuum chamber, and diffuser. Experimental results confirm the model's capability to capture supersonic jet dynamics, including shock diamond structures and pressure distributions. The input coil power modulation critically regulates stagnation pressure and Mach number evolution (1.1–2.7), and chamber pressure variations also dictate shock positioning and supersonic core length. Nozzle optimization demonstrates that reducing the throat cross-sectional area from 150 to 120 mm increases the centerline Mach number by 58% but doubles quartz tube wall heat flux (80–170 kW/m2), necessitating thermal management strategies. Simulations of the divergent section expansion angle (4°–14°) reveal that using a nozzle with angles <10° maintains concentrated energy flow (jet divergence <12°). The coupled power-throat-expansion parametric relationships establish design guidelines for achieving controllable high-enthalpy plasma jets while mitigating thermal loads, providing critical insights for aerospace plasma sheath simulation and material testing applications.