Shunting the electric arc helical spiral turns (numerical simulation)

Abstract

A numerical simulation was performed for an open direct current (dc) electric arc in a uniform external axial magnetic field. The calculation was carried out in the frameworks of a non-stationary three-dimensional mathematical model in approximation of partial local thermodynamic equilibrium of plasma. The model does not presuppose a helical shape of the arc, as is customary in theoretical studies based on linear perturbation theory. It was shown that the helical shape of an open arc is not constant in time and periodically collapses with subsequent restoration. In a certain range of external parameters of the arc (current strength, inter-electrode distance, and external axial magnetic field), a new mode of destruction of a regular structure was revealed – the arc section shunting between the spiral turns. Shunting can be single or double when the breakdown occurs simultaneously in two places. Apparently, it is caused by convective heat transfer by plasma flows as well as by the sliding of the arc thermal field. The appeared thermal field creates a zone of electric conductivity in which the breakdown occurs.