Effect of radial energy transfer on characteristics of plasma torch with water-stabilized arc

Summary form only given. Plasma torches with water-stabilized arc used in the industrial scale for plasma spraying, other plasma chemistry applications like waste treatment or CVD are being investigated. The principle of the stabilization of the arc by a liquid vortex offers the possibility of generation of plasma jets with extreme plasma enthalpy and very low density. Plasma is produced by heating and ionisation of the vapor of liquid which confines the arc column. The arc characteristics and properties of generated plasma jet are strongly dependent on the radial energy transfer to the liquid. The paper analyses energy transfer in water-stabilized arc on the basis of a simple integral model. The model is based on a solution of equations describing the transfer of mass, momentum and energy between conducting, arc core, vapor sheath created due to the evaporation of the liquid wall, inner surface of the liquid vortex and the body of the vortex. Radiation energy transfer is described by empirical terms representing absorption in a vapor sheath and absorption in a layer of boiling liquid. An analysis of energy transfer balance is made on the basis of comparison of experimental results with calculations. It is shown that radiation energy transfer play a dominant role in the arc column.