直流电弧等离子体点火器射流特性研究

采用光谱仪测量了等离子体点火器出口射流的发射光谱,利用玻尔兹曼曲线斜率法计算了射流的电子温度,并通过电离平衡方程计算了射流气体温度,获得点火器出口射流长度、射流速度、电子温度和射流温度随弧电流及进口氩气流量的变化规律。并分析了航空等离子体电弧射流中是否可使用电子温度来代替射流气体温度。实验表明：弧电流随着进口氩气流量的增大而减小;出口射流长度和速度随弧电流的增大而增大,随进口氩气流量的增大先增大后减小;出口电子温度、电子密度和射流温度随弧电流的增大而升高,随氩气流量的增大而降低。     

Characteristics of Single Cathode Cascaded Bias Voltage Arc Plasma

A single cathode with a cascaded bias voltage arc plasma source has been developed with a new quartz cathode chamber,instead of the previous copper chambers,to provide better diagnostic observation and access to the plasma optical emission.The cathode chamber cooling scheme is also modified to be naturally cooled only by light emission without cooling water to improve the optical thin performance in the optical path.A single-parameter physical model has been developed to describe the power dissipated in the cascaded bias voltage arc discharge argon plasmas,which have been investigated by utilizing optical emission spectroscopy(OES) and Langmuir probe.In the experiments,discharge currents from 50 A to 100 A,argon flow rates from 800 sccm to 2000 sccm and magnetic fields of 0.1 T and 0.2 T were chosen.The results show:(a) the relationship between the averaged resistivity and the averaged current density exhibits an empirical scaling law as η∝ j~(-0.63369) and the power dissipated in the arc has a strong relation with the filling factor;(b) through the quartz,the argon ions optical emission lines have been easily observed and are dominating with wavelengths between 340 nm and 520 nm,which are the emissions of Ar~+-434.81 nm and Ar~+-442.60 nm line,and theintensities are increasing with the arc current and decreasing with the inlet argon flow rate;and(c) the electron density and temperature can reach 2.0 × 10~(19) m~(-3) and 0.48 eV,respectively,under the conditions of an arc current of 90 A and a magnetic field of 0.2 T.The half-width of the n_e radial profile is approximatively equal to a few Larmor radii of electrons and can be regarded as the diameter of the plasma jet in the experiments.     

Numerical simulation of low-current vacuumarc jet considering anode evaporation in different axial magnetic fields

As the main source of the vacuum arc plasma, cathode spots (CSs) play an important role on the behaviors of the vacuum arc. Their characteristics are affected by many factors, especially by the magnetic field. In this paper, the characteristics of the plasma jet from a single CS in vacuum arc under external axial magnetic field (AMF) are studied. A multi-species magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) model is established to describe the vacuum arc. The anode temperature is calculated by the anode activity model based on the energy flux obtained from the MHD model. The simulation results indicate that the external AMF has a significant effect on the characteristic of the plasma jet. When the external AMF is high enough, a bright spot appears on the anode surface. This is because with a higher AMF, the contraction of the diffused arc becomes more obvious, leading to a higher energy flux to the anode and thus a higher anode temperature. Then more secondary plasma can be generated near the anode, and the brightness of the ‘anode spot’ increases. During this process, the arc appearance gradually changes from a cone to a dumbbell shape. In this condition, the arc is in the diffuse mode. The appearance of the plasma jet calculated in the model is consistent with the experimental results.     

Investigation of Vacuum Arc Voltage Characteristics Under Different Axial Magnetic Field Profiles

Characteristics of the arc voltage under different profiles of axial magnetic field were investigated experimentally in a detachable vacuum chamber with five pairs of specially designed electrodes generating both bell-shaped and saddle-shaped mafnetic field profile. The arc column and cathode spot images were photographed by a high speed digital camera. The dependence of the arc voltage on arcing evolution is analyzed. It is indicated that the axial magnetic field profile could affect the arc behaviors significantly, and the arc voltage is closely related to the arc light intensity.     

Simulation Research of Magnetic Constriction Effect and Controlling by Axial Magnetic Field of Vacuum Arc

Based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of vacuum arc, the computer simulation of vacuum arc was carried out in this paper. In the MHD model, mass conservation equation, momentum conservation equations, energy conservation equations, generalized ohm‘s law and Maxwell equation were considered. MHD equations were calculated by numerical method, and the distribution of vacuum arc plasma parameters and current density were obtained. Simulation results showed that the magnetic constriction effect of vacuum arc is primarily caused by the Hall effect. In addition, the inhibition of axial magnetic field (AMF) on constriction of vacuum arc was calculated and analyzed.     

Study of Distortion of a Vacuum Arc at a Long-Gap Distance

Experimental study of the long-gap distance vacuum arc distortion for three types of axial magnetic field (AMF) contacts, by using high-speed charge coupled device (CCD), is presented. The arc current was of a half-cycle sine wave with a frequency of 50Hz, produced by an L-C discharging circuit. The time of appearance and duration of vacuum arc distortion under three conditions were studied. It was found that the gap distance, current and diameter of the electrode affected the characteristics of vacuum distortion at a long-gap distance. Some characteristics of the vacuum arc at a long-gap distance was revealed and the experience and data for further investigation were provided.     

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.     

Influence of the axial magnetic field on sheath development after current zero in a vacuum circuit breaker

After current zero,which is the moment when the vacuum circuit breaker interrupts a vacuum arc,sheath development is the first process in the dielectric recovery process.An axial magnetic field (AMF) is widely used in the vacuum circuit breaker when the high-current vacuum arc is interrupted.Therefore,it is very important to study the influence of different AMF amplitudes on the sheath development.The objective of this paper is to study the influence of different AMF amplitudes on the sheath development from a micro perspective.Thus,the particle in cell-Monte Carlo collisions (PIC-MCC) method was adopted to develop the sheath development model.We compared the simulation results with the experimental results and then validated the simulation.We also obtained the speed of the sheath development and the energy density of the ions under different AMF amplitudes.The results showed that the larger the AMF amplitudes are,the faster the sheath develops and the lower the ion energy density is,meaning the breakdown is correspondingly more difficult.     

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.     

阴极端面旋转弧根的数值分析

辅助电弧的阴极弧根在管状钨阴极端面旋转时，随着阴极弧根旋转频率的增加，在阴极端面形成一圈温度较高的区域；区域中各点的温度（除弧根处温度）趋于均匀，从而为主电弧的阴极弧根在这个区域中分裂成多弧根或形成扩散型弧根模式提供了必要的温度条件；弧根处的阴极端面温度随旋转频率的增加而下降并趋于一个稳定的值。本文利用三维热传导方程对此进行了分析。     

Simulation of Arc Rotation and Its Effects on Pressure of Expansion Volume in an Auto-Expansion SF6 Circuit Breaker

A 3D Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) arc model in conjunction with an arc move¬ment model is applied to simulate the arc rotation as well as to solve its effect on the pressure in an auto-expansion circuit breaker. The rotation of the arc driven by an external electromagnetic force is simulated in the case with 200 kA of the short circuit current and 16 ms of arc duration. The arc rotating process and the speed of arc rotation have been obtained in the simulation. A comparison of the pressure in the expansion volume with and without an external magnetic field has been carried out based on the calculation results of two cases. The results of the simulation reveal that the arc rotation, which causes more energy exchange between the arc and its surrounding gas, can evidently bring about the pressurization in the expansion volume, which would contribute to more effective arc quenching at current zero and further reducing operation power.     

Characteristics of Atmospheric Pressure Rotating Gliding Arc Plasmas

In this work,a novel direct current (DC) atmospheric pressure rotating gliding arc (RGA) plasma reactor has been developed for plasma-assisted chemical reactions.The influence of the gas composition and the gas flow rate on the arc dynamic behaviour and the formation of reactive species in the N2 and air gliding arc plasmas has been investigated by means of electrical signals,high speed photography,and optical emission spectroscopic diagnostics.Compared to conventional gliding arc reactors with knife-shaped electrodes which generally require a high flow rate (e.g.,10-20 L/min) to maintain a long arc length and reasonable plasma discharge zone,in this RGA system,a lower gas flow rate (e.g.,2 L/min) can also generate a larger effective plasma reaction zone with a longer arc length for chemical reactions.Two different motion patterns can be clearly observed in the N2 and air RGA plasmas.The time-resolved arc voltage signals show that three different arc dynamic modes,the arc restrike mode,takeover mode,and combined modes,can be clearly identified in the RGA plasmas.The occurrence of different motion and arc dynamic modes is strongly dependent on the composition of the working gas and gas flow rate.     

Impact of the Insulator on the Electric Field and Generation Characteristics of Vacuum Arc Metal Plasmas

The field electron emission plays a vital role in the process of vacuum discharge breakdown. The electric field strength at the cathode tip is significant to the generation char- acteristics of vacuum arc metal plasmas. To increase the field strength at the cathode tip, a coaxial electrode plasma source was employed with an insulator settled between the electrodes. The math expression of the field strength is derived based on the Gauss theory. The impact of the insulator on the electric field and parameters of plasmas were investigated by MAXWELL 3D simulation software and the Langmuir probe. In addition, a composite insulator was adopted to further strengthen the field strength. A series of experiments were performed to focus on the role of the composite insulator in detail. The experimental and simulation results indicate that, a reasonable layout of the insulator, especially the composite insulator, can effectively increase the field strength at the cathode tip and the plasma density.     

Analysis of Effects of the Arc Voltage on Arc Discharges in a Cathode Ion Source of Neutral Beam Injector

A hot cathode bucket ion source is used for the EAST(experimental advanced superconducting tokamak)neutral beam injector.The thermal electrons emitted from the surface of the cathode are extracted and accelerated by the electric field formed by the arc voltage,which is applied between the arc chamber of the ion source and the cathode.This paper analyzes the effects of arc voltage on the arc discharge in a hot cathode high current ion source.     

Simulation of Low-Voltage Arc Plasma During Contact Opening Progress

This paper focuses on the simulation of the low-voltage arc with an opening contact. A controllable experiment setup with a rotating contact is designed to investigate the arc behaviour. Supported by the experiment, the phenomena of arc elongation and commutation in the case of rotating contact are simulated with the dynamic grid technique introduced. Under the given condition of the external magnetic field and the contact rotating velocity, the stagnation and rapid jump of two arc roots are observed by the calculated and experimental arc root displacement. The voltage of arc column can be divided into four phases and its sharp rising progress comes from the increase of the displacement difference between two arc roots in x direction.     

Investigation of Arc Regulation of Hot Cathode Ion Source with Langmuir Probe

The neutral beam injector (NBI) is one of the main plasma heating methods for nuclear fusion devices. For the hot cathode high current ion source, the arc current and beam current tends to increase during the beam pulse. In order to gets long pulse beam extraction, the arc regulation technology is employed. The Langmuir probes are installed on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak-NBI ion source, to feedback control the arc discharge and beam extraction. The experimental results show that, the long pulse of 100 s ion beam is extracted with beam energy of 30 keV with arc regulation. More the results are presented in this paper.     

Research of Arc Chamber Optimization Techniques Based on Flow Field and Arc Joint Simulation

The preliminary design of an arc chamber in the 550 kV SF_6 circuit breaker was proposed in accordance with the technical requirements and design experience.The structural optimization was carried out according to the no-load flow field simulation results and verified by no-load pressure measurement.Based on load simulation results such as temperature field variation at the arc area and the tendency of post arc current under different recovery voltage,the second optimal design was completed and its correctness was certificated by a breaking test.Results demonstrate that the interrupting capacity of an arc chamber can be evaluated by the comparison of the gas medium recovery speed and post arc current growth rate.     

Comparative Observation of Ar, Ar-H2 and Ar-N2 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.     

Influce of Initial Opening Speed on Characteristics of a Drawn Vacuum Arc

Influence of the initial opening speed on the characteristics of drawn vacuum arcs for axial magnetic field(MF) vacuum interrupters (VIs) is studied using a high-speed charge- coupled device (CCD) camera. Two values of initial opening speed, 0.5 m/s and 1.5 m/s, were set to make a comparative study. The cup-type electrode was made of Cu-Cr (50%-50% in weight) with a diameter of 30 mm and a gap distance between electrodes of 10 mm. The results show that the transition time decreases by 0.5 ms when the initial opening speed increases from 0.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s at a peak current of 2.5 kA, while the transition time decreases by 1.0 ms when the initial opening speed increases from 0.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s at a peak current of 5.0 kA. The reason why the duration of the transition arc mode decreases is that the e®ect of electromagnetic force and Coulomb force among arcs is increased when the initial opening speed increases.     

磁驱动旋转电弧运动图像及弧电压脉动的实验研究

磁驱动旋转电弧产生扩散电弧等离子体过程中有许多有趣的物理现象。本文利用高速摄影技术研究了大气压条件下、非均匀磁场中、大尺度磁驱动旋转氩电弧的电弧结构；在一定的弧电流和外磁场条件下，电弧的平面形状表现为不断发展和增长的螺旋结构，电弧螺旋结构的破裂往往产生于阴极附近的等离子体射流。采用图像分析的方法计算了外部磁场作用下阳极斑点沿弧室内壁的移动频率，分析了磁驱动旋转电弧运动过程中的弧电压脉动现象。结合电弧图像分析和电弧电压脉动及其FFT分析得出：电弧电压的大幅波动与多层电弧螺旋结构破裂和重建相关，而电弧电压的小幅波动则是弧根小幅跳动引起电弧拉长和收缩的结果。