Instrumenting and programming a virtual instrument for an open loop system to control gliding centrifugal thermal plasma

This paper describes: 1) the implementation of one system for controlling and monitoring physical variables involved in starting and sustaining a three-phase centrifuged gliding-arc (TPCGA) discharge called gliding centrifugal thermal plasma (GCTP), and 2) the analysis of data collected in spreadsheets by a virtual instrument (VI) to explain plasma behavior. The goal of this work was to program a VI through LabVIEW™ for establishing a central unit to control the performing of the GCTP, and for recording the measurements of the analog signals involved in the process. Data are used to support the analysis and diagnosis steps. In addition, it could also help to propose a closed loop control design, because of the identification of extreme values. Instrumentation also considers the installation of an AC voltage source, gas flow valves, data acquisition cards, and current, pressure, and temperature sensors. For security reasons, a remote interface version of the VI was uploaded to internet. It can be approached when toxic gases are treated.