In this paper we introduce an experimental technique that allows for high-speed, three-dimensional determination of electron density and temperature in axially symmetric free-burning arcs. Optical filters with narrow spectral bands of 487.5–488.5 nm and 689–699 nm are utilized to gain two-dimensional spectral information of a free-burning argon tungsten inert gas arc. A setup of mirrors allows one to image identical arc sections of the two spectral bands onto a single camera chip. Two-different Abel inversion algorithms have been developed to reconstruct the original radial distribution of emission coefficients detected with each spectral window and to confirm the results. With the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium we calculate emission coefficients as a function of temperature by application of the Saha equation, the ideal gas law, the quasineutral gas condition and the NIST compilation of spectral lines. Ratios of calculated emission coefficients are compared with measured ones yielding local plasma temperatures. In the case of axial symmetry the three-dimensional plasma temperature distributions have been determined at dc currents of 100, 125, 150 and 200 A yielding temperatures up to 20000 K in the hot cathode region. These measurements have been validated by four different techniques utilizing a high-resolution spectrometer at different positions in the plasma. Plasma temperatures show good agreement throughout the different methods. Additionally spatially resolved transient plasma temperatures have been measured of a dc pulsed process employing a high-speed frame rate of 33000 frames per second showing the modulation of the arc isothermals with time and providing information about the sensitivity of the experimental approach.
Yttria partially stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings are widely used for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) to increase operating temperature of gas turbines. In the wavelength range where most of the radiation by walls and combustion gas is emitted within the gas turbine YSZ is semitransparent leading to increasing radiation heat flows into the components at increasing service temperatures. The objective of this work is to optimize the diffuse reflectance of plasma‐sprayed TBCs by improving the coating microstructure such that the reflectance of radiation is increased. As a result, a more efficient thermal screening of the underlying metallic substrate is achieved. In this work, air plasma‐sprayed and suspension plasma‐sprayed (SPS) coatings of 7% YSZ using powder of different grain size distributions and different spray parameters were deposited. The reflectance and transmittance has been investigated in the wavelength range from 0.3 to 2.5 μm. The SPS‐coatings showed the highest reflectance up to 94% at 1.5 μm wavelength. In addition, the scattering and absorption coefficients of the sprayed TBCs calculated with the Kubelka–Munk two flux model showed strong correlation with the measured porosity. By improving the microstructure, we were able to reduce thermal conductivity while increasing scattering of radiation, resulting in lower heat flow and lower temperature at the metallic substrate. These results are strengthened by numerical calculations.
Powder injection parameters such as gas flow, injection angle, and injector position strongly influence the particle beam and thus coating properties. The interaction of the injection conditions on particle properties based on DPV-2000 measurements using the single-cathode F4 torch is presented. Furthermore, the investigation of the plasma plume by emission computer tomography is described when operating the three-cathode TriplexProÔ torch. By this imaging technology, the three-dimensional shape of the radiating plasma jet is reproduced based on images achieved from three CCD cameras rotating around the plume axis. It is shown how the formation of the plasma jet changes with plasma parameters and how this knowledge can be used to optimize particle injection.
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