Disintegration of water molecules in a steam-plasma torch powered by microwaves

Abstract

A pure steam torch is generated by making use of 2.45GHz microwave. Steam from a steam generator enters the discharge tube as a swirl gas at a temperature higher than 150°C. This steam becomes a working gas and produces a stable steam torch. The torch volume is almost linearly proportional to the microwave power. The temperature of the torch flame is measured by making use of optical spectroscopy and a thermocouple device. Two distinctive regions are exhibited, a bright, whitish region of a high-temperature zone and a reddish, dimmer region of a relatively low-temperature zone. The bright, whitish region is a typical torch based on plasma species and the reddish, dimmer region is hydrogen burning in oxygen. Study of water molecule disintegration and gas temperature effects on the molecular fraction characteristics in steam-plasma of a microwave plasma torch at the atmospheric pressure is carried out. An analytical investigation of water disintegration indicates that a substantial fraction of water molecules disintegrate and form other compounds at high temperatures in the steam-plasma torch. Emission profiles of the hydroxide radical and water molecules confirm the theoretical predictions of water disintegration in the torch.