Generation of an Unstable Rotating Arc and Its Application to Steam Superheating

This experimental study was conducted to heat gases using an arc driven by an external magnetic field. A dc arc was produced between a tungsten rod cathode and a cylindrical anode. Experimental observations revealed that the magnetically driven arc deformed unstably and rotated with no particular frequency. The arc voltage increased concomitantly with the increase of the magnetic flux density. Superheated steam was obtained using the rotating arc. The temperature increased with the increase of the imposed magnetic field. The arc heating efficiency was nearly 40-50%.