Modeling of axis-symmetric steam plasma flow in a non-transferred torch

This paper discusses the numerical modeling of steam plasma in a DC non-transferred torch equipped with well-type cathode, where the non-trivial azimuthal velocity component and turbulent effect are both taken into account. In order to investigate the complicated flow characteristics of thermal plasma due to the interaction between steam and electric arc, the flow filed inside the plasma torch is modeled by the magnetic–hydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The governing equations are then solved numerically using a non-staggered finite volume discretization based on Cartesian grid system. The anode location and maximum current density at cathode are fixed by the corresponding experimental measurement at a given flow rate. The predicted result suggests that the steam plasma can be accelerated to a mean velocity of 1500 m/s at torch outlet with the mass flow rate of 5 g/s and the system current of 180 A. A strong vortex flow structure is found inside the torch due to the introduction of azimuthal velocity at the gas inlet, which should help to stabilize the rotating arc during the torch operation.