Arc Plasma Flow Variation by Obstruction Structures between Anode and Cathode

Abstract

Arc plasma flow between electrodes has been investigated in several studies. However, in the industrial field, arc plasma flow between electrodes is hindered by interfering materials such as filler metal in arc welding, substrates in chemical vapor deposition, and powders in sintering. Therefore, in this study, high temperature arc plasma flow analysis via three obstruction structure shapes was performed to understand the inter-electrode interference phenomena. COMSOL Multiphysics was used for the analysis; COMSOL interface such as electric field, magnetic field, heat transfer, and fluid flow (laminar flow) was applied and Multiphysics such as plasma heat source and temperature coupling were considered. The temperature and velocity of the arc plasma were determined and the energy transfer between the electrodes was analyzed. We confirmed that the concave shape has a lower average heat flux than the other shapes, with the arc pressure evenly distributed in the anode. It is concluded that the concave shape can reduce the flow of the plasma from the anode and obtain even distribution of the arc plasma in the radial direction.