Operating characteristics and energy distribution in a nitrogen transferred arc plasma

Abstract

Abstract The electrical characteristics of a nitrogen transferred arc plasma were measured in a closed chamber, which simulated a plasma furnace. The total arc voltage depended strongly on the arc length and much less on current and plasma gas volumetric flow rate, with a voltage gradient of about 12 V/cm. The various mechanisms accounting for the transfer of the energy in the arc to the system were identified and measured. The two major components of the energy distribution were by electron transfer to the anode (whether water‐cooled solid copper or molten metal) and by radiation from the plasma column. The significance of these measurements for the design and optimization of plasma furnaces is discussed.