Coupling of Anode and Cathode Torches Perpendicularly Arranged in a Discharge Chamber

An atmospheric arc-plasma system employing two gas-shielded torches aligned obtusely has a high-temperature coupling zone that is sufficiently faraway from the tips of both electrodes to achieve minimum contamination by electrode erosion and is thus used for the production of micro- and nanopowders. Such an arc plasma exhibits a strong 3-D structure within the coupling zone, and results in this paper obtained from a steady-state arc model show that, for the first time, the two torches are coupled through a tissue-like conducting layer for an electric-current return. The thickness of the layer is less than 6 mm in comparison with the typical dimension of 20 mm of the torches in the coupling zone. The Lorentz force resulting from a “Y” shaped current path and strong ohmic heating, dominate the coupling process.