Comparisons of Two Models for the Simulation of a DC Arc Plasma Torch

Abstract

Abstract The hypothesis of local thermal equilibrium (LTE) in thermal plasma has been widely accepted. Most of the simulation models for the arc plasma torch are based on the hypothesis of LTE and its results indicate a good validity to mimic the pattern of the plasma flow inside the plasma torch. However, due to the LTE hypothesis, the electrical conductivity near the electrodes is significantly low because of the lower gas temperature. Consequently, it is difficult for the flow of electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode. Therefore, a key subject for a model depending on the LTE assumption is to deal with the low electrical conductivity near the electrodes. In this study, two models, determining the electrical conductivity at the vicinity of the electrodes with two different assumptions, were employed to calculate the flow patterns inside a non-transferred DC arc plasma torch. A comparison of the gas temperature, velocity, voltage drop and the heat energy of the plasma arc between the two models were carried out. The results indicate that plasma arc inside the plasma torch fluctuates as simulated by both of the two models. It seems that the model can obtain comparable accuracy compared with the experimental results if the plasma gas electrical conductivity is determined by a nominal electron temperature.