Numerical modeling of hybrid stabilized electric arc with uniform mixing of gases

The paper is concerned with numerical modeling of an electric arc in the plasma torch with combined stabilization of arc by gas and water vortex. The axisymmetric model includes the arc discharge area between the outlet nozzle for argon and the outlet nozzle of the hybrid plasma torch. It is proved that the addition of argon increases the plasma velocity but does not influence substantially the plasma temperature. The outlet velocities exhibit the maximum difference up to 3000 ms/sup -1/ for 500 A, regarding a water-stabilized plasma torch. Transition to supersonic flow in the axial discharge region near the outlet occurs as a result of higher velocity and lower temperature for 500 A. The calculated velocities, temperature, and electron concentration profiles exhibit good agreement with experiments.