Procedures for Modeling Laminar Cascade ARC Behavior

Past efforts at modeling laminar, cascade arc behavior are reviewed. The models are delineated in terms of their inherent restrictions and are compared on the basis of ease of application, as well as ability to provide useful engineering information and important physical insights. It is concluded that, although approximate analytical models have suggested important trends, they have almost universally failed to accurately quantify arc behavior. The most successful procedures have been those which use finite-difference methods for the solution of a comprehensive set of flow equations. Greatest success is derived from the use of a multi-fluid model which accounts for arc thermochemical nonequilibrium effects.