Motion of particles entrained in a plasma jet

Abstract

Abstract The motion of small particles (glass microspheres, 30 to 140 microns in diameter) entrained in a free argon plasma jet was studied by means of high‐speed cine streak photography. Radial temperature and velocity profiles as well as axial profiles of temperature, velocity, and argon concentration in the jet were experimentally determined by means of a plasma calorimetric probe. The system was found to be characterized by low relative Reynolds numbers (0.2 to 20) and extremely high deceleration rates (about –2,000 g). Under these conditions, an increase of drag coefficient over that predicted by the standard curve was experimentally observed. This increase was attributed to the nonsteady flow field around the particle (the so‐called “history term” in the equation of motion). A general computer program has been proposed which predicts the particle velocity, acceleration and temperature along its trajectory.