Operating Characteristics of PLASMA JET DEVICE : Report I

There are two basic types of plasma jet devices, one which has a transferred arc and one with a non-transferred arc. In the non-transferred mode of operation, the arc circuit is completed within the front electrode, and the plasma jet being projected through the nozzle. A constricted type, vortex stabilized 15KW plasma jet was put in operation in our laboratory in DEC. of 1962. The arc is struck by sliding contact, then the stable plasma jet is produced from the nozzle about 20 mm long. Operating characteristics of a plasma jet were obtained from our measurements. These experiments were carried out with different nozzle and different electrode distance. The current and the rate of gas flow were changed during the operation. SS-5102 synchroscope was used to ascertain the oscillating phenomena of the arc voltage and current. The results of these experiments are mentioned as follows. (1) Performance of a plasma jet is affected by electrode distance, kinds and flow rate of gas. (2) Arc voltage rise is occured by increasing of gas flow rate. (3) Flame length of plasma jet is mainly affected by arc current. (4) The oscillating phenomena of arc voltage and current arc concerned with anode spot motion.