Swirl Arc: A Model for Swirling, Turbulent, Radiative Arc Heater Flowfields

Effects of inter-electrode insertion on the performance and thermal flow fields of a hollow-electrode plasma torch

“…The simulated plasma torch corresponds to the one of figure 2(a) with the lengths of IEs, L 0 =250 mm and the operating conditions, such as arc current I 0 and gas flow rates are the same with the values used for figure 2(a). Normally, the elevation of swirl number increases the radius and the electrical conductivity of the arc [22]. These effects can be confirmed in table 8, presenting the arc voltages and the plasma power decreasing with the increase in swirl number at the same operating conditions.…”

“…However, it decays rapidly in the first IE, then disappears in the section of the second IE for the plasma torch with three IEs, as shown in figure 10(b). Since the swirl velocity field provides the stabilizing radial force against the kink instability in the arc [22], it is important to keep the swirl flow field along all sections of IEs when operating this type of plasma torch. Accordingly, the effect of swirl number needs to be investigated together with optimum gas flow rates injected through the gaps between electrodes.…”

Swirling flow and its influence on dc arcs in a duo-flow hybrid circuit breaker

“…Swirl is used extensively in combustion chambers and industrial arc furnaces as a means of controlling the size, shape and stability of a flame [1] or arc column [2][3][4]. The swirling flow in these devices is usually induced by injecting gas in the azimuthal direction of an axisymmetric chamber.…”

“…As a consequence, a swirling flow is developed in the electrically conducting column. Whereas in the latter cases, swirling is maintained by continuously injecting gas in the azimuthal direction from an inlet near the wall [1][2][3][4]. A fundamental difference therefore needs to be recognized: swirling is initiated in the low density, high temperature column in the switching arc case by a body force while it is maintained by an azimuthal directed mass source of cold gas in the other cases studied in [1][2][3][4].…”