Effects of Transverse Magnetic Field with Different Alternating Currents on Heat Flux Density Distributions of Plasma Arc
An external transverse-alternating magnetic field with sinusoidal and triangular alternating currents was applied to a combined plasma arc to create a plasma arc for expanding the cross section of arc column and flatting the distributions of arc temperature. Two mathematical models were developed to describe the heat flux density distributions of the combined plasma arc driven by a transverse-alternating magnetic field with sinusoidal and triangular alternating currents. The behavior of plasma arc under the external transverse-alternating magnetic field imposed perpendicular to the plasma current was discussed theoretically and experimentally by changing various parameters such as working gas flux, arc current, magnetic flux density including its wave form and the standoff from the nozzle to the workpiece. The analytical results show that it is feasible to adjust the shape and heat flux density of the combined plasma arc by the transverse- alternating magnetic field, which expands the region of combined plasma arc thermal treatment and uniforms the heat flux density upon the workpiece. Changing the waveform of the alternating current can also control the heat flux density distribution. As well as, calculated heat flux density distributions of combined plasma arc driven by the external transverse-alternating magnetic field show a good agreement with experimental data. The magnetic field with triangular alternating current can flat the heat flux density distribution on the anode rather than sinusoidal one. This approach to flat the heat flux density distribution on the anode surface will give an effective controllability to the combined plasma arc application.
Numerical simulation of a helical shape electric arc in the external axial magnetic field
Within the frameworks of non-stationary three-dimensional mathematical model, in approximation of a partial local thermodynamic equilibrium, a numerical calculation was made of characteristics of DC electric arc burning in a cylindrical channel in the uniform external axial magnetic field. The method of numerical simulation of the arc of helical shape in a uniform external axial magnetic field was proposed. This method consists in that that in the computational algorithm, a “scheme” analog of fluctuations for electrons temperature is supplemented. The “scheme” analogue of fluctuations increases a weak numerical asymmetry of electrons temperature distribution, which occurs randomly in the course of computing. This asymmetry can be “picked up” by the external magnetic field that continues to increase up to a certain value, which is sufficient for the formation of helical structure of the arc column. In the absence of fluctuations in the computational algorithm, the arc column in the external axial magnetic field maintains cylindrical axial symmetry, and a helical form of the arc is not observed.
Determination of the arc-root position in a DC plasma torch
The behavior of an arc operated in the nontransferred mode with a conical-shaped cathode and a nozzle-shaped anode is studied by applying general tyro-dimensional conservation equations and auxiliary relations for the simulation of arc channel flows. The position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface is determined by using Steenbeck's minimum principle, which postulates a minimum arc voltage for a given current and certain given boundary conditions. The overall effects of the anode-arc root on the plasma flow are, studied by comparing the results with those of the transferred mode of operation. Specific arc-channel diameters are chosen in the simulation in order to verify flit, numerical model through comparisons with experimental results. The results show that Steenbeck's minimum principle is useful for determining the position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface. Application of this method for control of the arc-anode attachment may be valuable in the design and operation of plasma spray torches to avoid jet instabilities.