Numerical analysis on plasma characteristics of high power plasma torch of hollow electrode type for waste treatment

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:330588

Hur, M; Kang, K D; Hong, S H ^[1]

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1. Seoul National Univ. (Korea, Republic of). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering

In this study, the plasma characteristics of a high power nontransferred plasma torch with hollow electrodes are investigated in the atmospheric condition by analyzing the distributions of plasma temperature, velocity and current density. Typical assumptions of steady state, axisymmetry, local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin plasma are adopted in a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling of thermal plasma with a special treatment of arc spot positions. A control volume method and the modified SIMPLER algorithm are used for solving the governing equations numerically, i.e., conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy along with the equations describing the {Kappa}-{var_epsilon} model for turbulence and the current continuity for arc discharge. The distributions of plasma temperature, velocity, and current density are calculated in various operation conditions such as gas species, gas flowrate, input current, and electrode geometry. The calculated results of plasma characteristics in various operations can be useful to determine the design parameters of the high power plasma torch of hollow electrode type for incinerating the hospital and municipal solid wastes.

• OSTI ID: 330588
• Report Number(s): CONF-970559--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COMBUSTION
DESIGN
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA FURNACES
PLASMA SIMULATION
SOLID WASTES
WASTE PROCESSING