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Due to great demands on solid rocket motors and solid ramjets for thrust control, a study of the effect of high-voltage electric fields on the regression rate of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been undertaken. The flame shape was recorded by a CMOS camera. The regression rate of PMMA was measured. A numerical model of fluid-solid coupling, which is based on experiment and considers physico-chemical phenomena associated with the flame-field interaction process, has been developed to explain experimental observations. In order to reduce the computational workload, the radiation loss, including the soot radiation is not considered in the numerical simulation. The mechanism of the effect of electric fields on the regression rate of PMMA is analysed. The numerical simulation shows that the change of the regression rate of a PMMA tip under the action of electric fields is consistent with experimental results. Studies show that electric fields can change the regression rate of PMMA, increasing it by about 38%. The regression rate on the burning surface is increased when subjected to positive electric fields. Under a negative electric field, part of the burning surface is subjected to an increased regression rate, and some thereof is subjected to a decreased regression rate. The effect of electric fields on the regression rate of PMMA is mainly due to the interaction of buoyancy and the electric field induced volumetric body forces. • Electric fields can change the regression rate of PMMA. • The change of the regression rate was closely related to applied voltage. • The change of the regression rate was due to the action of buoyancy and"ionic wind". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To satisfy the demand for thrust control on solid rocket motors and solid ramjet engines, numerical simulation of the effect of high-voltage electric fields on the combustion characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) under lateral inflow was undertaken. The mechanism of the effect of electric fields on the regression rate and mass flow rate of PMMA was analyzed. The results show that PMMA mass flow rate can increase by about 54% when subjected to positive voltages. The PMMA mass flow rate can not only increase by about 5.5% but also decrease by about 14% under the action of negative voltages. When the oxygen mass fraction is 54.5% at 0.101 MPa, the effect of electric fields on PMMA mass flow is weakened as the lateral velocity increases. When the inflow velocity is 1.95 m s−1 and oxygen mass fraction is 23.2%, the effect of electric fields on PMMA mass flow is decreased as the pressure rises. The effect of electric fields on PMMA regression rate is mainly due to the electric-field-induced volumetric body force. It will result in large-scale bulk flow movement, known as ionic wind, which changes the distribution of species and affects the heat of reaction, thus causing the changes in flame temperature, finally altering the thermal feedback to the solid phase. • Electric fields can change PMMA regression rate and mass flow rate. • The change of PMMA mass flow rate was closely related to applied voltages. • The change of the regression rate was due to electric body force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]