Numerical testing of the similarity conditions for the induction plasmatrons

Abstract

Abstract Detailed comparison of numerical results obtained for IPG−4 plasmatron (base case), IPG − 3H hypothetical plasmatron and IPG − 3 real plasmatron is provided to estimate the accuracy of the similarity conditions and the applicability of that conditions for the pair of IPG − 4 and IPG − 3 plasmatrons. IPG − 3H hypothetical plasmatron is geometrically similar to IPG − 4 one and has twice larger dimensions. The operating regime of IPG − 3H is obtained from the IPG − 4 operating regime with use of the similarity conditions for the operating parameters. The operating regime of IPG − 3 real plasmatron is the same as for IPG − 3H. Vortical electric field generated by the inductor coils with high frequency current around the discharge channel is calculated with use of 2D model with far field boundary conditions. This calculation is integrated with the solver for Navier-Stokes equations for plasma flow. The comparison of IPG − 4 and IPG − 3H results shows about 4÷7% accuracy of the similarity conditions for main plasma parameters. The comparison of IPG − 4 and IPG − 3 results shows that application of the similarity conditions for this case provides a qualitative agreement but the quantitative difference in some parameters may be large, up to 35÷40%.