Radiation energy losses in a single chamber three phase plasma torch with rod electrodes

Abstract

Abstract The paper deals with the results of the study of the plasma energy loss in a chamber of the three phase alternating current arc plasma torch at pressures above atmospheric. It is shown that the loss due to radiation takes the main share. A time-averaged estimation of the radiation power per unit length of the arcs and its dependence on pressure was obtained based on the results of calorimetric measurements of the heat flux into the end part of the plasma torch. The dependence of the fraction of energy loss by radiation versus the total loss in the plasma torch chamber depending on the pressure and gas flow rate are presented. The dependence of the efficiency of the plasma torch versus the gas flow rate and pressure is also given. Studies were conducted on a plasma torch over the power range from 50 to 200 kW. The working gas was nitrogen.