Study on the formation of arc plasma on the resistive wall liquid metal current limiter

Due to its significant attributes,the liquid metal current limiter(LMCL)is considered a new strategy for limiting short-circuit current in the power grid.A resistive wall liquid metal current limiter(RWLMCL)is designed to advance the starting current-limiting time.Experiments are performed to investigate the dynamic behaviors of liquid metal,and the influence of different currents on the liquid metal self-shrinkage effect is compared and analyzed.Furthermore,the liquid metal self-shrinkage effect is mathematically modeled,and the reason for the formation of arc plasma is obtained by simulation.The laws of arc plasma formation and the current transfer in the cavity are revealed,and the motion mechanisms are explained by physical principles.The simulations are in accordance with the test data.It is demonstrated that the sudden change of the current density at both ends of the wall causes the liquid metal to shrink and depress under the electromagnetic force,and the current starts to transfer from the liquid metal path to the wall resistance path.The RWLMCL can effectively advance the starting current-limiting time.

Characterization of carbon encapsulated Fe-nanoparticles prepared by confined arc plasma

Carbon encapsulated Fe nanoparticles were successfully prepared via confined arc plasma method. The composition, morphology, microstructure, specific surface area and particle size of the product were characterized via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller N2 adsorption. The experiment results show that the carbon encapsulated Fe nanoparticles have clear core-shell structure. The core of the particles is body centered cubic Fe, and the shell is disorder carbons. The particles are in spherical or ellipsoidal shapes. The particle size of the nanocapsules ranges from 15 to 40 nm, with the average value of about 30 nm. The particle diameter of the core is 18 nm, the thickness of the shells is 6-8 nm, and the specific surface area is 24 m2/g.

Hydrogen storage properties of Mg-TiO_2 composite powder prepared by arc plasma method

Mg-based Mg-TiO2 composite powder was prepared by arc plasma evaporation of the Mg＋5%TiO2 mixture followed by passivation in air. ICP, XRD and SEM techniques were used to characterize the composition, phase components and microstructure of the composite powder. The hydrogen sorption properties of the composite powder were investigated by DSC and PCT techniques. According to the data from PCT measurements, the hydrogenation enthalpy and entropy changes of the composite powder are calculated to be-71.5 kJ/mol and-130.1 J/（K·mol）, respectively. Besides, the hydrogenation activation energy is determined to be 77.2 kJ/ mol. The results indicate that TiO2 added into Mg by arc plasma method can act as a catalyst to improve the hydrogen sorption kinetic properties of Mg.

Numerical Study on Arc Plasma Behavior During Arc Commutation Process in Direct Current Circuit Breaker

This paper focuses on the numerical investigation of arc plasma behavior during arc commutation process in a medium-voltage direct current circuit breaker （DCCB） contact system. A three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic （MHD） model of air arc plasma in the contact system of a DCCB is developed, based on commercial software FLUENT. Coupled electromagnetic and gas dynamic interactions are considered as usual, and a thin layer of nonlinear electrical resistance elements is used to represent the voltage drop of plasma sheath and the formation of new arc root. The distributions of pressure, temperature, gas flow and current density of arc plasma in arc region are calculated. The simulation results indicate that the pressure distribution related to the contact system has a strong effect on the arc commutation process, arising from the change of electrical conductivity in the arc root region. In DCCB contact system, the pressure of arc root region will be concentrated and higher if the space above the moving contact is enclosed, which is not good for arc root commutation. However, when the region is opened, the pressure distribution would be lower and more evenly, which is favorable for the arc root commutation.

采用DC Arc Plasma JetCVD方法沉积微/纳米复合自支撑金刚石膜

在30kW级直流电弧等离子体喷射化学气相沉积(DC Arc P lasm a Jet CVD)设备上,采用Ar-H2-CH4混合气体,通过调节甲烷浓度以及控制其他沉积参数,在Mo衬底上沉积出微/纳米复合自支撑金刚石膜。实验表明,当微米金刚石膜层沉积结束后,在随后的沉积中,随着甲烷浓度的增加,金刚石膜表面的晶粒大小是逐渐减小的。当甲烷浓度达到20%以上时,金刚石膜生长面晶粒呈现菜花状的小晶团,膜体侧面已经没有了粗大的柱状晶,而是呈现出光滑的断口,对该层进行拉曼谱分析显示,位于1145 cm-1附近有一定强度的散射峰出现。这说明所沉积的晶粒全部变为纳米级尺寸。

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a DC Non-Transferred Arc Plasma Torch Operating Under Laminar and Turbulent Conditions

In this work, a magnetic fluid dynamics （MHD） model is used to simulate the electromagnetic field, heat transfer and fluid flow in a DC non-transferred arc plasma torch under laminar and turbulent conditions. The electric current density, temperature and velocity distributions in the torch are obtained through the coupled iterative calculation about the electromagnetic equations described in a magnetic vector potential format and the modified fluid dynamics equations. The fluid-solid coupled calculation method is applied to guarantee the continuity of the electric current and heat transfer at the interface between the electrodes and fluid. The predicted location of the anodic arc root attachment and the arc voltage of the torch are consistent with corresponding experimental results. Through a specific analysis of the influence of mass flow rates and electric current on the torch outlet parameters, the total thermal efficiency, thermal loss of each part, and the laws of the variation of outlet parameters with the variation of mass flow rates and electric current was obtained. It is found that operation under a laminar condition with a limited area of the anode could increase the total thermal efficiency of the torch.

Preparation and particle size characterization of Cu nanoparticles prepared by anodic arc plasma

Copper nanoparticles were successfully prepared in large scale by means of anodic arc discharging plasma method in inert atmosphere. The particle size, specific surface area, crystal structure, and morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, BET equation, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and the corresponding selected area electron diffraction （SAED）. The experimental results indicate that the crystal structure of the samples is fcc structure the same as that of the bulk materials. The specific surface area is 11 m^2/g, the particle size distribution is 30 to 90 nm, and the average particle size is about 67 nm obtained from TEM and confirmed from XRD and BET results. The nanoparticles with uniform size, high purity, narrow size distribution and spherical shape can be prepared by this convenient and effective method.

OES study of the gas phase during diamond films deposition in high power DC arc plasma jet CVD system

This paper used optical emission spectroscopy （OES） to study the gas phase in high power DC arc plasma jet chemical vapour deposition （CVD） during diamond films growth processes. The results show that all the deposition parameters （methane concentration, substrate temperature, gas flow rate and ratio of H2/Ar） could strongly influence the gas phase. C2 is found to be the most sensitive radical to deposition parameters among the radicals in gas phase. Spatially resolved OES implies that a relative high concentration of atomic H exists near the substrate surface, which is beneficial for diamond film growth. The relatively high concentrations of C2 and CH are correlated with high deposition rate of diamond. In our high deposition rate system, C2 is presumed to be the main growth radical, and CH is also believed to contribute the diamond deposition.

Simulation of Magnetically Dispersed Arc Plasma

Magnetically dispersed arc plasma exhibits typically dispersed uniform arc column as well as diffusive cathode root and diffusive anode root. In this paper magnetically dispersed arc plasma coupled with solid cathode is numerically simulated by the simplified cathode sheath model of LOWKE . The numerical simulation results in argon show that the maximum value of arc root current density on the cathode surface is 3.5×10^7 A/m^2）, and the maximum value of energy flux on the cathode surface is 3× 10^7 J/m^2, both values are less than the average values of a contracted arc, respectively.

3D Numerical Analysis of the Arc Plasma Behavior in a Submerged DC Electric Arc Furnace for the Production of Fused MgO

A three dimensional steady-state magnetohydrodynamic model is developed for the arc plasma in a DC submerged electric arc furnace for the production of fused MgO. The arc is generated in a small semi-enclosed space formed by the graphite electrode, the molten bath and unmelted raw materials. The model is first used to solve a similar problem in a steel making furnace, and the calculated results are found to be in good agreement with the published measurements. The behavior of arcs with different arc lengths is also studied in the furnace for MgO production. From the distribution of the arc pressure on the bath surface it is shown that the arc plasma impingement is large enough to cause a crater-like depression on the surface of the MgO bath. The circulation of the high temperature air under the electrode may enhance the arc efficiency, especially for a shorter arc.

Measurement of electron density and electron temperature of a cascaded arc plasma using laser Thomson scattering compared to an optical emission spectroscopic approach

As advanced linear plasma sources, cascaded arc plasma devices have been used to generate steady plasma with high electron density, high particle flux and low electron temperature. To measure electron density and electron temperature of the plasma device accurately, a laser Thomson scattering（LTS） system, which is generally recognized as the most precise plasma diagnostic method, has been established in our lab in Dalian University of Technology. The electron density has been measured successfully in the region of 4.5？×10^19m^-3 to7.1？×10^20m^-3 and electron temperature in the region of 0.18 eV to 0.58 eV. For comparison,an optical emission spectroscopy（OES） system was established as well. The results showed that the electron excitation temperature（configuration temperature） measured by OES is significantly higher than the electron temperature（kinetic electron temperature） measured by LTS by up to 40% in the given discharge conditions. The results indicate that the cascaded arc plasma is recombining plasma and it is not in local thermodynamic equilibrium（LTE）. This leads to significant error using OES when characterizing the electron temperature in a non-LTE plasma.

THE EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE BIAS AND FLUX RATIO ON THE PROPERTIES OF TiN THIN FILMS FORMED BY FILTERED CATHODIC ARC PLASMA TECHNIQUE

The filtered cathodic vacuum-arc (FCVA) technique is a supplementary and alterna tive technique with respect to convendtional physical and chemical vapour deposi tion which can remove macro-particles effectively and make the deposition proces s at ambient temperature. In this work, high quality TiN thin films were deposi ted on silicon substrates at low temperature using the improved filtered cathodi c arc plasma (FCAP) technique. AFM, XRD, TEM were employed to characterize the T iN thin films. The effects of the negative substrate bias on the grain size, pre ferred crystalline orientation, surface roughness of TiN thin films were discuss ed.

Comparison of Reynolds average Navier-Stokes turbulence models in numerical simulations of the DC arc plasma torch

Five turbulence models of Reynolds average Navier-Stokes(RANS),including the standard k-ω model,the RNG k-e model taking into account the low Reynolds number effect,the realizable k-ω model,the SST k-ω model,and the Reynolds stress model(RSM),are employed in the numerical simulations of direct current(DC)arc plasma torches in the range of arc current from 80 A to 240 A and air gas flow rate from 10 m^3 h^-1 to 50 m^3 h^-1.The calculated voltage,electric field intensity,and the heat loss in the arc chamber are compared with the experiments.The results indicate that the arc voltage,the electric field,and the heat loss in the arc chamber calculated by using the standard k-ω model,the RNG k-ωmodel taking into account the low Reynolds number effect,and the realizable k-ω model are much larger than those in the experiments.The RSM predicts relatively close results to the experiments,but fails in the trend of heat loss varying with the gas flow rate.The calculated results of the SST k-ω model are in the best agreement with the experiments,which may be attributed to the reasonable predictions of the turbulence as well as its distribution.

PARTICLE SIZE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF Ni NANOPOWDERS PREPARED BY ANODIC ARC PLASMA

Pure Ni nanopowders were successfully prepared by the method of anodic arc disch arged plasma with homemade experimental apparatus. The particle size, mircostruc ture and morphology of the particles by this process were characterized via X-ra y powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the corre sponding selected area electron diffraction (SAED); The specific surface area an d pore parameters were investigated by multi-point full analysis of nitrogen ads orption-desorption isotherms at 77K by Brunauer- Emmett-Teller (BET) surface are a analyzer; The chemical composition were determined by X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (XEDS) equipped in SEM and element analyze instrument. The experime nt results indicate that the samples by this method with high purity,the crystal structure of the particles is as same as the bulk material, is fcc structure, w ith average particle sizes about 47nm, ranging from 20 to 70nm, and distributed uniformly in spherical chain shapes, the specific surface areavis 14.23m2/g, po re volume of pore is 0.09cm3/g and average pore diameter is 23nm.

Comparative Observation of Ar,Ar-H_2 and Ar-N_2 DC Arc Plasma Jets and Their Arc Root Behaviour at Reduced Pressure

Results observed experimentally are presented, about the DC arc plasma jets and their arc-root behaviour generated at reduced gas pressure without or with an applied magnetic field. Pure argon, argon-hydrogen or argon-nitrogen mixture was used as the plasma-forming gas. A specially designed copper mirror was used for a better observation of the arc-root behaviour on the anode surface of the DC non-transferred arc plasma torch. It was found that in the cases without an applied magnetic field, the laminar plasma jets were stable and approximately axisymmetrical. The arc-root attachment on the anode surface was completely diffusive when argon was used as the plasma-forming gas, while the arc-root attachment often became constrictive when hydrogen or nitrogen was added into the argon. As an external magnetic field was applied, the arc root tended to rotate along the anode surface of the non-transferred arc plasma torch.

Characterization of a 3-Phase a.c. Free Burning Arc Plasma

A 3-phase a.c. arc plasma reactor with large volume plasma has been developed for the synthesis of new carbon nano-structures. One of the main characteristics of the plasma system is related to the absence of a fixed neutral point. This gives rise to a rich and complex phenomenology related to instabilities and arc motion since the arcs are ＂burning＂ freely in the gas flow between the three electrodes. This paper is dedicated to the analysis of the behavior of such a system under typical conditions using argon and nitrogen as plasma gases. A classification of are configuration, arc commutating, arc interaction, arc motion and arc instabilities are discussed based on ultra high-speed cine camera analysis. A simple model describing the time evolution of the system is also presented and compared with the experimental measurements. The results show that an adequate control could allow the improvement of the overall system.

Radial and Angular Resolved Langmuir Probe Diagnosis of a Pulsed Vacuum Arc Plasma

Vacuum arc ion sources are known for delivering high currents of ion beams in many technological applications. There is a great need in the present ion accelerator injection research for a titanium vacuum arc source to produce high-ionized plasma, in which its parameter is extremely important to match the extractors geometry and the extraction voltage. In this paper, the radial and angular distributions of the titanium cathodic vacuum arc plasma parameters are measured by a cylindrical Langmuir probe and analyzed by the Druyvesteyn method from the I-V curves. The electron density ne is about 10^（17）m^（-3） and the effective electron temperature Tefr is in the range of 6.12-11.11 eV in the free expansion cup before the ion extraction. The measured distribution of ne over the expansion cross-section is non-uniform and axially unsymmetrical with its form similar to the Gaussian distribution, and most of the plasma is concentrated into an area whose radius is smaller than 5 mm. Teff has a nearly uniform distribution over the expansion cross-section during the discharge. The results of the plasma parameters＇ non-uniformity encourage the researchers to make some optimization designs to improve the parameter distributions, and then to facilitate ion extraction.

Influences of Bias Voltage and Target Current on Structure,Microhardness and Friction Coefficient of Multilayered TiAlN/CrN Coatings Synthesized by Cathodic Arc Plasma Deposition

Multilayered TiAlN/CrN coatings have been synthesized on stainless steel substrates by cathodic arc plasma deposition using TiAl and Cr targets.Influences of the bias voltage,cathode current ratio ITiAl/ICr,and deposition pressure on the hardness and friction coefficient of the coatings were investigated.The measurement revealed existence of two cubic phases,face-centercubic （Cr,Al）N and（Ti,Al）N,in the coatings deposited under various bias voltages except for the coating deposited at -400 V,which is amorphous.The hardness of the coatings was strongly dependent on the Itial/Icr ratio and deposition pressure,and reached a maximum of 33 GPa at an ITiAI/ICr ratio of 1.0 and a pressure of 1.0 Pa.The incorporation of the element chromium can reduce the density of pinholes in the coatings and assist the optimization of deposition conditions for high quality TiAlN/CrN coatings.

Numerical Analysis of the Arc Plasma in a Simplified Low-voltage Circuit Breaker Chamber with Ferromagnetic Materials

This paper is devoted to the simulation of the arc plasma in a simplified low-voltage circuit breaker chamber. Based on a group of coupled governing equations, a three-dimensional （3-D） arc plasma model is built and solved by a modified commercial code. Firstly, this paper presents a solution of the stationary state of the arc plasma and discusses the distribution of some parameters throughout the chamber. Secondly, with the ferromagnetic materials included, the balance of the stationary state is broken and a transient course is calculated. In light of the simulation results, the temperature distribution sequence, the arc motion and the plasma jet are then described and analyzed in detail.

Three-dimensional non-equilibrium modeling of a DC multi-cathode arc plasma torch

In this paper,a three-dimensional non-equilibrium steady arc model is used to investigate the temperature,velocity and electromagnetic field in multi-cathode arc torch,and the formation mechanism of a large-area,uniform and diffused arc plasma is analyzed.The numerical simulation results show that a large volume plasma region can be formed in the central region of the generator during discharge.During this process,the maximum electron temperature appears near the cathode and in the central convergence region,while the maximum heavy particle temperature only appears in the central convergence region.This phenomenon is consistent with the experimental arc images.Near the cathode tip,the arc column is in a contraction state.In the area slightly away from the cathode,the six arc columns begin to join together.In the plasma generator,there is a large-scale current distribution in all directions of X,Y and Z,forming a stable arc plasma with a wide range of diffusion.The calculated electron temperature distribution is in good agreement with the measured electron temperature.The results suggest that the largearea diffused arc plasma in the multi-cathode arc torch is the combined effect of current distribution,convection heat transfer and heat conduction.