Anode attachment of torch plasma arc with high-speed lateral gas air and axial plasma gas argon

Abstract

Torch plasma arcs have useful high-energy and high-current characteristics. Torch plasma arcs can be flexible even if exposed to high-speed laterally flowing gases. This study measured the length, voltage, input power, heat power and heat efficiency of a torch plasma arc to the anode to elucidate their influence upon the plasma torch arc anode attachment with a high-velocity laterally flowing gas. That velocity was varied from 0 to 60 m s−1. The axial plasma gas argon flow rates used were 4, 8 and 12 slpm. Consequently, the input power increased about 8000–16 000 W with these lateral gas air velocities. The heat efficiency decreased with lateral gas air velocity from about 50% to 25% at a current of I = 150 A. The torch plasma arc length, La, was ca 1 cm. The results of this study are applicable for providing electrical power from the ground to high-speed vehicles or vice versa and for reducing anode erosion by anode spot movement.