Calculations of flow field and heat exchange properties in high-power high-enthalpy inductively coupled plasma generator

Abstract

High-enthalpy and high-density inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) have the capability to generate continuous, high-temperature, and high-enthalpy plasma gas flows. They find extensive applications in various fields including material processing and aerospace engineering. This work aims to provide a theoretical basis for the better utilization and improvement of high-power ICP plasma generation devices developed by the Xidian University. The discharge characteristics of argon gas, heat exchange properties, and flow field characteristics are investigated through modeling. According to the simulations (50–250 kW coil power input), the increase in ignition input power and the gas intake leads to an increase in the internal temperature of the generator, gas outlet velocity, and electron number density. A noticeable high-pressure region gradually forms in the middle of the pipeline during the ignition, which gradually controls the internal flow field. Surrounding this high-pressure region, thermal exchange recirculation vortices are formed inside the plasma tube, which damages the flow field quality at the generator outlet. We propose to use shrink nozzles to improve the outlet flow quality. The simulation of ICP generator can guide facility utilization and further development.