Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Cathode Nozzle Geometry and Process Parameters on the Energy Distribution for an Argon Transferred Arc

  • Originall Paper
  • Published:
Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influence of two nozzle geometries and three process parameters (arc current, arc length and plasma sheath gas flow rate) on the energy distribution for an argon transferred arc is investigated. Measurements are reported for a straight bore cylindrical and for a convergent nozzle, with arc currents of 100 A and 200 A and electrode gaps of 10 mm and 20 mm. These correspond to typical operating parameters generally used in plasma transferred arc cutting and welding operations. The experimental set up consisted of three principal components: the cathode-torch assembly, the external, water-cooled anode, and the reactor chamber. For each set of measurements the power delivered to each system component was measured through calorimetric means, as function of the arc’s operating conditions. The results obtained from this study show that the shape of the cathode torch nozzle has an important influence on arc behaviour and on the energy distribution between the different system components. A convergent nozzle results in higher arc voltages, and consequently, in higher powers being generated in the discharge for the same applied arc current, when compared to the case of a straight bore nozzle. This effect is attributed to the fluidynamic constriction of the arc root attachment, and the consequential increase in the arc voltage and thus, in the Joule heating. The experimental data so obtained is compared with the predictions of a numerical model for the electric arc, based on the solution of the Navier–Stokes and Maxwell equations, using the commercial code FLUENT©. The original code was enhanced with dedicated subroutines to account for the strong temperature dependence of the thermodynamic and transport properties under plasma conditions. The computational domain includes the heat conduction within the solid electrodes and the arc-electrode interactions, in order to be able to calculate the heat distribution in the overall system. The level of agreement achieved between the experimental data and the model predictions confirms the suitability of the proposed, “relatively simple” model as a tool to use for the design and optimization of transferred arc processes and related devices. This conclusion was further supported by spectroscopic measurements of the temperature profiles present in the arc column and image analysis of the intensity distribution within the arc, under the same operating conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A r :

radial component of the magnetic potential vector [T m]

A z :

axial component of the magnetic potential vector [T m]

B θ :

azimuthal magnetic field [T]

C p :

specific heat [J kg−1 K−1]

e :

elementary charge [-1.6x10−19 C]

h :

enthalpy [J kg−1]

k B :

Boltzmann’s constant [1.38x10−23 J K−1]

j e :

electron current density [A m−2]

j i :

ion current density [A m−2]

j r :

radial current density [A m−2]

j z :

axial current density [A m−2]

r :

radial coordinate

p :

pressure [Pa]

q :

total heat flux towards the anode [W m−2]

q r :

radiation flux towards the anode [W m−2]

q c :

conduction heat flux towards the anode [W m−2]

q e :

electron heat flux towards the anode [W m−2]

T :

temperature [K]

V :

total arc voltage fall [V]

V a :

anode voltage fall [V]

V c :

cathode voltage fall [V]

v r :

radial velocity [m s−1]

v z :

axial velocity [m s−1]

z :

axial coordinate

ɛ n :

net emission coefficient [W m−3 ster−1]

φ:

electric potential [V]

Φ i :

ionization potential [V]

Φ w :

work function [V]

κ:

thermal conductivity [W m−1 K−1]

μ:

viscosity [Pa s]

μ:

permeability of vacuum [1.26x10−6 H m−1]

ρ:

mass density [kg m−3]

σ:

electrical conductivity [Ω m−1]

References

  1. Gleizes A, Gonzales JJ, Freton P (2005) J Phys D: Appl Phys 38:R153

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hsu K C, Etemadi K, Pfender E (1983) J Appl Phys 54:1293

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cao M, Proulx P, Boulos MI (1994) J Appl Phys 76:7757

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lowke JJ, Morrow R, Haidar J (1997) J Phys D: Appl Phys 30:2033

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Boulos MI, Fauchais P, Pfender E (1994) Thermal plasmas: fundamentals and applications, vol 1. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  6. Blais A, Proulx P, Boulos MI (2003) J Phys D: Appl Phys 36:488

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lago F, Gonzales JJ, Freton P, Gleizes A (2004) J Phys D: Appl Phys 37:883

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Gonzales JJ, Lago F, Freton P, Masquére M, Francieres X (2005) J Phys D: Appl Phys 38:306

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bernardi D, Colombo V, Ghedini E, Melini S, Mentrelli (2005) IEEE Trans Plasma Sci 33(2):428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Schmidt HP, Speckhofer G (1996) IEEE Trans Plasma Sci 24(4):1229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Choi HK, Gauvin WH (1982) Plasma Chem Plasma Process 2(4):361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Coudert JF, Delalondre C, Roumilhac P, Simonin O, Fauchais P (1993) Plasma Chem Plasma Process 13(3):399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Bini R, Monno M, Boulos MI (2006) J Phys D: Appl Phys 39:3253

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Montgomery DC (1997) Design and analysis of experiments. John Wiley & Sons, New York

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Essoltani A (1991) Composition et rayonnement d’un plasma d’argon en présence d’hydrogene et de vapeur métallique de fer CRTP internal report Université de Sherbrooke

  16. Fluent 6.1 User’s guide (2003) (16ENT INC.)

  17. Pfender E, Boulos MI, Fauchais P (1984) Physical and thermodynamic properties of thermal plasmas, plasma technology in metallurgical processing. Feinman & Associates, Grand Junction CO

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Bonardi 9, Milan, 20133, Italy

    R. Bini & M. Monno

  2. Centre de Recherche en Énergie, Plasma et Électrochimie (CREPE), Départment de génie chimique, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boul Université, Sherbrooke, Canada, J1K-1R2

    M. I. Boulos

  3. Corporate Research, ABB Schweiz AG, 1K Segelhof, Baden-Dättwil, 5405, Switzerland

    R. Bini

Authors
  1. R. Bini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Monno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. I. Boulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Bini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bini, R., Monno, M. & Boulos, M.I. Effect of Cathode Nozzle Geometry and Process Parameters on the Energy Distribution for an Argon Transferred Arc. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 27, 359–380 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-007-9083-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-007-9083-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation