A Study of Electrodeless Arc Discharge Using Argon, Nitrogen, and Air
Abstract
A study of the bluff-body stabilized electrodless arc was undertaken to extend the operation to greater mass flow rates and power input. A small arc chamber, operating at a frequency of 3.5 MHz, was operated with mass flows up to 1.026 gm/sec of argon at atmospheric pressure with a power input of 6.79 KW. Under these conditions a plasma bulk temperature of 2305K was obtained with a heating efficiency of 18%. It was found that heating efficiency increased with chamber pressure, but bulk temperature depends primarily upon the power input. A larger arc chamber was designed for a nominal power input of 200 KW at a frequency of 377 MHz. This chamber was operated at mass flow rates up to 2.4 gm/sec of argon at a pressure of two atmospheres. A plasma bulk temperature of 5856K was obtained at a power input of 76KW. Attempted operation using air as a working fluid was unsuccessful at pressures in excess of 2/3 atmosphere due to inefficient coupling to the arc plasma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0767220
Entities
People
- Dennis R. Keefer
Organizations
- University of Florida