Title :
Properties of Hybrid Water/Gas DC Arc Plasma Torch
Author :
Hrabovsky, Milan ; Kopecký, Vladimír ; Sember, Viktor ; Kavka, Tetyana ; Chumak, Oleksiy ; Konrad, Milos
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Plasma Phys.
Abstract :
A new type of plasma torch with combined stabilization of electric arc by water vortex and gas flow was investigated. This hybrid water/gas stabilization offers the possibility of adjusting plasma jet parameters within a wide range from high-enthalpy low-density plasmas typical for liquid stabilized torches to lower enthalpy higher density plasmas generated in gas stabilized torches. The torch was operated at an arc power from 22 to 130 kW with an exit centerline plasma velocity from 2 to 6.5 km/s and a plasma temperature from 14 000 K to 22 000 K. Moreover, gas flow in the cathode part protects a cathode tip and thus a consumable carbon cathode used in water torches could be replaced by a fixed tungsten cathode. The characteristics of the electric arc with combined gas/water stabilization were measured and the effect of gas properties and flow rate on plasma properties and gas-dynamic flow characteristics of the plasma jet were studied for argon, and mixtures of argon with hydrogen and nitrogen
Keywords :
arcs (electric); argon; enthalpy; gas mixtures; hydrogen; nitrogen; plasma density; plasma instability; plasma jets; plasma sources; plasma temperature; plasma thermodynamics; plasma torches; plasma transport processes; vortices; 14000 to 22000 K; 2 to 6.5 km/s; 22 to 130 kW; Ar-H; Ar-N; DC arc plasma torch; carbon cathode; electric arc; gas-dynamic flow; high-enthalpy low-density plasmas; plasma jet; plasma temperature; plasma velocity; tungsten cathode; water vortex; Argon; Cathodes; Fluid flow; Hybrid power systems; Plasma density; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Plasma temperature; Protection; Water; Hybrid gas/water stabilization; plasma torch; thermal plasma jet; water-stabilized arc;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.2006.878365
