Radiation transfer in air and air-Cu plasmas for two temperature profiles

Abstract

In this article we present our results from calculations of the divergence of the radiation flux in a high temperature air-Cu plasma arc. We assumed stationary plasma, with local thermodynamic equilibrium valid throughout the plasma volume. We paid attention especially to the presence of copper lines in the absorption coefficient spectra and their influence on the energy transfer. Two distinct temperature regimes were used, with one focusing on a steep temperature gradient and the other involving a slowly varying temperature profile. The temperature ranges from 25 kK at the arc center down to 3 kK at the plasma arc boundary. Uniform pressure of 1 bar was considered in all cases. The results show that a large amount of energy is emitted by the copper vapor, which helps with cooling the arc.