Numerical studies on velocity, temperature history and heat transfer to the particles injected into the argon plasma

Abstract:

A new approach to study the particle velocity in a thermal plasma in relation to input parameters (power, gas flow rate, injection velocity of the particle and particle size) and nozzle dimensions (nozzle length and diameter) has been made. Injected particle's temperature and thermal history were calculated for particles of three different materials (alumina, tungsten and graphite) in argon plasma. Allowable powder feed rate was calculated for the particles. Heat transfer per particle injected in to the plasma is reported. Liquid fraction of the particle after it reached the melting point is also reported. Particle velocity is found to increase with increase in power, gas flow rate and injection velocity and decrease with increase in particle size, nozzle length and nozzle diameter. Thermal histories of the particles in relation to the plasma temperature and particle diameter are presented. Particle's residence time is found to increase with increase in diameter of the particle. Allowable powder feed rate for complete melting of the particle is higher at higher percentage utilisation of the plasma power. Powder feed rate is seen to decrease with increase in particle size and it is higher for tungsten and lower for graphite particle. Heat transfer rate from plasma to particle is seen to decrease with increase in time and the same is higher for plasmas of higher temperature and smaller sized particle.