Thermal Plasma Generators with Water Stabilized Arc

Abstract

Electric arc stabilized by a vortex of liquid, mostly water, is used in a special type of plasma torch for generation of thermal plasma jet with extreme plasma parameters. The paper presents analysis of properties and processes of water stabilized arcs and discusses differences from common gas stabilized arcs. Plasma torch utilizing stabilization of arc column by combination of gas flow and liquid vortex is described and its properties are presented.