The conservation equations for a non-equilibrium plasma

Abstract

The paper is concerned with formulation of the gas dynamic conservation equations for the individual species in a non-equilibrium partially ionized gas mixture. As an example, the conservation equations for the electrons and the overall conservation equations are developed for a three component plasma consisting of electrons, singly-ionized positive ions and neutral atoms. Non-elastic collisions are represented by the collisional-radiative decay mechanism of Bates, Kingston & McWhirter (1962a, b). Maxwellian velocity distributions are assumed, but the electrons are allowed to have a temperature different from the heavier particles and to drift relative to them. Particular attention is given to the electron energy balance equation which differs from that used by other investigators.