Numerical Investigation of Pulsations in a Plasma Arc Column

Abstract

We investigate spatial fluctuations in a cylindrical plasma arc column in the interval of electric current I = 100 - 200 A and gas flow G = 4 − 8 g/s. The distribution functions of these oscillations were obtained. On the basis of experimental results we proposed a model for the description of the fluctuations. In this model the axis of the arc O0 participates at the same time on two movements: random oscillation and axial rotation. The lateral and radial intensities and radial temperatures were calculated for different rotation radii and standard deviations. For this study the spectral line of Ar I 415,8 nm was chosen. Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement.