Studies of the anode region of a high-intensity argon arc

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.331236· OSTI ID:5232363

Sanders, N; Etemadi, K; Hsu, K C; Pfender, E

This paper is concerned with experimental and analytical/numerical studies of the anode region of an atmospheric pressure argon arc in a current range from 100 to 300 A. The arc arrangement allows unobstructed viewing of the entire anode region, including the anode itself, and it is also suitable for simulating short as well as long arcs. Depending on the flow situation in the anode region, two different types of stable arc roots are observed. The diffuse anode arc root, characterized by a strong flow impinging on the anode surface, is well known from free-burning, short arcs. The second type reveals a more or less vevere constriction in front of the anode, caused by the entrainment of gas into the arc, resulting in an anode jet. Measurements of the induced flow at the cathode of such an arc show a linear increase of the induced mass flow rate with increasing current. This correlation can be confirmed by a simple analysis. A fast-scanning, computer-controlled system has been used for spectrometric measurements of the temperature distribution for both modes of anode arc roots, assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) in the arc. The maximum temperatures in the arc core compare favorably with calculated temperature distributions of the constricted mode. The calculated isotherms, however, show a substantial shift which is probably due to the chosen boundary conditions at the end of the constrictor tube.

• Research Organization: Heat Transfer Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
• OSTI ID: 5232363
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 53:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ARGON
ELECTRIC ARCS
ANODES
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CATHODES
COMPUTERS
CONTROL
ENTRAINMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAS FLOW
ISOTHERM
JETS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEDIUM PRESSURE
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECTROSCOPY
STABILITY
THEORETICAL DATA
CURRENTS
DATA
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GASES
INFORMATION
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
RARE GASES
640420* - Fluid Physics- Properties & Structure of Fluids- (-1987)