Simulation of the Effect of a Metal Vapor Arc on Electrode Erosion in Liquid Metal Current Limiting Device

The effect of arc plasma on electrode erosion in a liquid metal current limiter （LMCL） is studied. Based on a simplified two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model, the elongated GaInSn metal vapor arc and its contraction process in a liquid metal current limiter are simulated. The distributions of temperature, pressure and velocity of the arc plasma are calculated. The simulation results indicate that the electrode erosion is mainly caused by two high temperature gas jet flows arising from the pressure gradient, which is a result of the non-uniform arc temperature distribution. The gas flows, which act as jets onto the electrode surface, lead to the evaporation of the electrode material form the surface. A redesign structure of the electrode is proposed and implemented according to the analysis, which greatly increased the service life of the electrode.

Estimation of Surface Roughness due to Electrode Erosion in Field-Distortion Gas Switch

Field distortion gas switch is one of the crucial elements in a Marx generator, fast linear transformer driver and other pulsed power installations. The performance of the gas switch, which is dramatically affected by the surface roughness due to electrode erosion during the discharge process, directly influences the output parameters, stability and reliability of the pulsed power system. In this paper, an electrode surface roughness （ESR） calculation model has been established based on a great deal of experimental data under operating current. The discharge current waveform, the peak height of the burr, the radius and the depth of etch pits in the electrode erosion region were used to predict the ESR. Also, experimental results indicate that this calculation model can effectively estimate the ESR of the test gas switch.

Visualization of particulates distribution from electrode erosion

Particulates generated from electrode erosion in gas spark gap is inevitable and may initiate selfbreakdown behavior with high risk.Traditionally,this problem is addressed by empirical method qualitatively.To push this old problem forward,this paper conducts laser confocal microscopy measurement of eroded surface and a statistical method is introduced to obtain visualization of particulates distribution from electrode erosion after different shots.This method allows dense particulates to be classified with their heights in z direction and scattered figures of particulates within certain height range are obtained.Results indicate that the higher-than-10 μm particulates start to emerge after 200 discharge shots and particulates number has a waved radial distribution with a 0.5 mm wide deposition zone.Based on these quantitative results,the risk of reignition and field-distortion failure that are triggered by particulates can be assessed.

Effect of dilution gas composition on the evolution of graphite electrode characteristics in the spark gap switch

As the widely implemented electrode material,graphite has the characteristic of sublimation by the thermal shock of the switching arc,and the produced carbon vapor is easy to condense into carbon powders and deposit in the switch.The impact of the type of dilution gas in a mixture of20%oxygen and 80%dilution gas on the sublimation and oxidation characteristics of the graphite electrode is investigated.It is found that when nitrogen dilution gas was replaced by argon,the heat flux to the electrodes decreased,which led to a 63%reduction of graphite sublimation.At the same time,the cooling rate of the arc was slower in argon,which promotes oxidation of the carbon vapor.The residual solid carbon can be reduced by 70%–85%by using argon as the dilution gas.Consequently,it is demonstrated that the stability and working life of the switch could be increased by appropriate selection of the dilution gas.

Experimental study on the jet characteristics of a steam plasma torch

Thermal steam plasma jet is promising for applications in environmental industries due to its distinctive characteristics of high enthalpy and high chemical reactivity. However, the performance of the steam plasma torch for its generation is limited by the problems of the large arc voltage fluctuation and serious erosion of the electrodes. In this study, a gas-stabilized steam plasma torch which can operate continuously and stably was designed. Experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of the different working parameters, including the anode diameter, the cooling water temperature, the arc current and the steam flow rate, on its Volt-Ampere characteristics, arc voltage fluctuation, thermal efficiency, jet characteristics and electrodes erosion. Results showed that the use of hot water to cool the electrodes can effectively prevent the condensation of steam on the inner wall of the electrodes, thus significantly reducing the arc voltage fluctuations and electrodes erosion. This is crucial for increasing the working life of the electrodes and ensuring long-term stability of the steam plasma torch. In addition, suitable anode diameter can greatly reduce the arc voltage fluctuation of the steam plasma torch and effectively improve the stability of the steam plasma jet. Furthermore, high arc current can effectively reduce the fluctuations of the arc voltage and increase the length and the volume of the steam plasma jet. Finally, using steam as the plasma forming gas can achieve higher thermal efficiency compared to air. An ideal thermal efficiency can be achieved by properly reducing the arc current and increasing the steam flow rate.

Study on asymmetric thermo-physical effect mechanism of intermediate frequency DC resistance spot welding for aluminum alloy

The asymmetric thermo-physical mechanism of the resistance spot welding technique with intermediate frequency(2 kHz)and direct current(RSWIFDC)on the high strength aluminum(Al)alloy TL091 was studied here in view of the Peltier effect.On the basis of the analysis of the electrode cap surface erosion state and the shape-position of the nugget,it was concluded that asymmetric thermo-physical phenomenon occurred on both ends of the nugget,and even had an influence upon the shape-forming coefficient and the vertical position deviation of the nugget,and the erosion degree of the electrode caps.In this work,the relative thermo-physical model of the welding was established combined with the Peltier effect and the spot welding characteristics.Accordingly the relative welding phenomena,such as nugget center deviation and different erosion degree of the electrode cap surface,was explained clearly using the model related with the Peltier effect for the first time.This model provides important theoretical basis for future study and application of Al alloy spot welding,based on which,effective works may be done to promote the quality of the Al alloy welded joints and to obtain favorable control upon parameters of Al alloy welding for electrode caps.

A Thermal Analysis of Characteristic Parameters in the Electrode－Region for Tubular Plasma Generators

A thermal analysis of characteristic parameters in the electrode-region for tubular plasma generators is developed. Results of calculation on temperature of electrodes, evaporation rate and erosion rate for different electrode materials are presented as a function of arc current, pressure of arc chamber, width of arc root and velocity of water coolant. Some experimental data on electrode erosion in a tubular plasma generator is given. The effects of operating parameters on erosion rate are discussed in detail.