Two-temperature modeling of lamellar cathode arc

Abstract

A three-dimensional, two-temperature (2T) model of a lamellar cathode arc is constructed, drawing upon the conservation equations for mass, momentum, electron energy, and heavy particle energy, in addition to Maxwell’s equations. The model aims to elucidate how the physical properties of electrons and heavy particles affect heat transfer and fluid flow in a lamellar cathode arc. This is achieved by solving and comparing the fields of electron temperature, heavy particle temperature, fluid flow, current density, and Lorentz force distribution under varying welding currents. The results show that the guiding effect of the lamellar cathode on current density, the inertial drag effect of moving arc, and the attraction effect of Lorentz force at the lamellar cathode tip primarily govern the distribution of the arc’s physical fields. The guiding effect localizes the current density to the front end of the lamellar cathode, particularly where the discharge gap is minimal. Both the inertial drag effect and the attraction effect of Lorentz force direct arc flow toward its periphery. Under the influence of the aforementioned factors, the physical fields of the lamellar cathode arc undergo expansion and shift counter to the arc’s direction of motion. A reduction in welding current substantially weakens the guiding effect, causing the arc’s physical fields to deviate further in the direction opposite to the arc motion. In comparison with a cylindrical cathode arc, the physical fields of the lamellar cathode arc are markedly expanded, leading to a reduction in current density, electron temperature, heavy particle temperature, cathode jet flow velocity, and Lorentz force.