Analysis of Thermal Induction Plasmas between Coaxial Cylinders.
Abstract
A previously derived approximate solution of the one-dimensional energy balance equation for steady thermal induction plasmas is applied to the case of an annular plasma maintained between coaxial cylinders. It is assumed that heat conduction is the only loss mechanism and that both walls are at zero temperature. Charted material is presented that permits the determination of heat loads to either wall as well as the calculation of temperature distributions across the gap. Results for an atmospheric pressure argon discharge are compared with both exact numerical calculations and experimental data. Fair to good agreement is shown with the former; poor agreement is shown with the latter. The disagreement is shown to be caused by electron diffusion, which leads to overpopulation near the walls and suggests erroneously high temperatures when Saha equilibrium is assumed. The experimental temperature profiles are reproduced with excellent accuracy from a diffusion profile for the electrons that takes into account the nonuniformity of the induced electric field. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0727760
Entities
People
- Hans U. Eckert
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation