Consistent Calculation from Particle Composition to Arc Simulation for Arc Ignition Process in Polymer Ablated Arcs

Abstract

The paper deals with the numerical simulation on polymer ablation phenomena during electric arc ignition process. The calculations from paticle composition of high-temperature polymer vapor to the electromagnetic thermofluid simulation were consistently performed. In the present paper, first, methods and calculation results of the particle compositions and the thermodynamic and transport properties of polymer vapors were described. Using the particle composition calculated, thermodynamic and transport properties and radiation power were also obtained, and subsequently the electromagnetic thermofluid simulation was performed with a model of one-side flow outlet. The calculation results showed the temporal changes in the arc temperature distribution and the mass fraction distribution of mixed polymer vapor for various polymer materials of PA6, POM and PTFE. The differences in time required for ablation and the results of particle composition, thermodynamic and transport properties calculated were discussed. In the present calculation, POM showed the best properties such as the highest arc voltage among the three polymers, which can be explained by the high ablation rate and characteristics of thermal conductivity of POM vapor contaminated arc.