Modeling the first instant of the interaction between a liquid and a plasma jet with a compressible approach

In this work, the numerical simulation of the interaction between a liquid jet and a plasma flow is investigated for understanding and predicting the physical parameters involved in the liquid plasma spraying process. This process is used for the production of high performance coatings to obtain thinner deposits (< 100 μm) than in conventional plasma spraying. The up-to-date goal is to describe the dispersion of liquid in order to understand the effect of injection conditions on the surface coating quality. This work proposes an original model for dealing with three-dimensional interactions between a plasma flow and a liquid phase with Volume Of Fluid (VOF) methods. A compressible model, capable of managing incompressible two-phase flows as well as compressible motions, is used. First comparisons with experimental photography show rather good agreement during the first moments of the injection.     

Analysis of the unsteadiness of a plasma jet and the related turbulence

Plasma spraying using liquid feedstock allows realizing thin coatings (< 100 μm). In this process, the plasma jet fluctuations play an important role in the behavior of the liquid fragmentation and then in the final deposit characteristics. In this study, numerical simulations of two different plasma jets (argon or argon hydrogen mixture) issuing into air are investigated. The computations are based on a compressible model and a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) modeling for the turbulence. The aim of this work is to analyze the unsteady effects of the plasma jet regarding those of turbulence. In particular, the characterization of the turbulent zone inside the plasma jet is provided. A turbulence analysis is carried out in order to estimate the levels of turbulence and modeling effects.     

针型喷嘴射流特性研究

运用FLUENT流体仿真软件的VOF两相流模型对针型喷嘴在不同入口压力、不同打击距离的喷嘴射流流场进行数值分析,得到针型喷嘴射流流场的速度和被清洗件承受的压力分布云图和压力分布曲线,研究针型喷嘴射流参数的变化对射流流场速度及压力的影响规律。结果表明:随着入口水压的增加,射流最大速度和被清洗件上承受的压力值增加,但增加趋势逐渐减小;随着打击距离的增加,清洗范围略微增大,被清洗件上承受的压力值减小,但减小程度逐渐下降;进而得出当入口压力为30 MPa,打击距离在90～100 mm范围内的针型喷嘴具有最佳清洗效果。     

From DC Time-Dependent Thermal Plasma Generation to Suspension Plasma-Spraying Interactions

This paper proposes an original route for modeling the time-dependent behavior of a plasma jet issued from a DC plasma-spraying torch operating with various kinds of gas mixtures. The hydrodynamic interactions between this jet and a liquid jet for suspension plasma-spraying or a classical particle injection for the deposition of coatings are studied. In a first step, the classical plasma spraying process was explored using the FLUENT CFD code. Zirconia particles, defined as Lagrangian particles, were injected in an Ar/H₂ flow and their positions, kinetic and thermal states were compared with experimental results. The trend and intensity of the values demonstrated a rather good agreement. In a second step, the suspension plasma spraying was investigated with the AQUILON CFD to simulate interactions between the plasma and aqueous jets. An Ar/H₂ plasma flow was simulated with the Large Eddy Scale turbulence model assumption, in which a liquid jet had been introduced. The behavior observed during the first stage of the interactions between the two fluids corresponded to expectations.     

Liquid Precursor Plasma Spraying: Modeling the Interactions Between the Transient Plasma Jet and the Droplets

Plasma spraying using liquid feedstock makes it possible to produce thin coatings (<100 μm) with more refined microstructures than in conventional plasma spraying. However, the low density of the feedstock droplets makes them very sensitive to the instantaneous characteristics of the fluctuating plasma jet at the location where they are injected. In this study, the interactions between the fluctuating plasma jet and droplets are explored by using numerical simulations. The computations are based on a three-dimensional and time-dependent model of the plasma jet that couples the dynamic behaviour of the arc inside the torch and the plasma jet issuing from the plasma torch. The turbulence that develops in the jet flow issuing in air is modeled by a large Eddy simulation model that computes the largest structures of the flow which carry most of the energy and momentum. This article is an invited paper selected from presentations at the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference and has been expanded from the original presentation. It is simultaneously published in Global Coating Solutions, Proceedings of the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference, Beijing, China, May 14-16, 2007, Basil R. Marple, Margaret M. Hyland, Yuk-Chiu Lau, Chang-Jiu Li, Rogerio S. Lima, and Ghislain Montavon, Ed., ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2007.     

双带式非晶薄板连铸熔池流动传热数值模拟

以非晶合金新型双带连铸工艺为研究对象,考虑气体层与自由液面之间的交互作用,建立了熔池流动传热三维VOF两相流模型,通过对比分析,验证了新型布流器结构设计的合理性,考察了布流器水口倾角和浸入深度对熔池流场和温度场分布的影响。结果表明,新型布流器能够有效地降低熔池侧封区自由液面的波动程度;随着水口倾角和浸入深度的变化,熔池自由液面的波动速度和温度分布,均表现出强烈的"双波峰"现象;布流器水口倾角每增加15°,液面波动速度波峰约减小0.015m/s,温度波峰约减小10℃;水口浸入深度每增大5mm,液面速度波峰约减小0.01m/s,温度波峰约减小15℃;当水口倾角为30°,浸入深度为25mm时,熔池流场和温度场分布最为合理。     

Non-transferred Arc Torch Simulation by a Non-equilibrium Plasma Laminar-to-Turbulent Flow Model

Non-transferred arc torches are at the core of diverse industrial applications, particularly plasma spray. The flow in these torches transitions from laminar inside the torch to turbulent in the emerging jet. The interaction of the plasma with the processing gas leads to significant deviations from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) far from the arc core. The flow from a non-transferred arc plasma spray torch is simulated using a non-LTE (NLTE) plasma flow model solved by variational multiscale (VMS) and nonlinear VMS (VMS_n) methods, which are suitable for unified laminar and turbulent flow simulations. Non-plasma turbulent jet simulations indicate that the VMS_n method produces results comparable to those by the dynamic Smagorinsky method, often considered the workhorse for turbulent incompressible flow simulations. VMS and VMS_n approaches are applied to the simulation of incompressible, compressible, and NLTE plasma flows in non-transferred arc torch operating at representative conditions found in plasma spray processes. The NLTE plasma flow simulations reproduce the dynamics of the arc inside the torch together with the evolution of turbulence in the produced plasma jet in a cohesive manner. However, the similarity of results by both methods indicates the need for numerical resolution significantly higher than what is commonly afforded in arc torch simulations.     

EFFECT OF SEN DESIGN ON SURFACE FLUCTUATION AND SOLIDIFYING SHELL IN SLAB MOLD AND ITS OPTIMIZATION

Turbulent flow and heat transfer coupled with solidification in slab continuous casting mold was studied by numerical simulation method. Volume of fluid （VOF） model is used to solve steel-air two-phase flow problem and enthalpy-porosity scheme is introduced to solve the fluid flow problem involving solidification. Contributions of various nozzle port angles and port widths and heights on the free surface fluctuation and the thickness of solidifying shell in slab mold were particularly investigated, based on which the structure of submerged entry nozzle was optimized. Flow inside the common nozzle port cannot fill the entire outlet area, having a recirculation in the upper portion of the port, which is enlarged for the nozzle port with both larger height and width. Results show that the flow in mold cavity is mainly controlled by the nozzle port angle. The increase of the angle of upper face of the port to shape a roughly streamlined inner-wall improves the effective area fraction of the nozzle, resulting in less jet impingement, weaker free surface turbulence and thicker solidifying steel shell.     

An Insight into Suspension Plasma Spray: Injection of the Suspension and Its Interaction with the Plasma Flow

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) suspensions were injected in an atmospheric plasma jet using two designs of a home-made two-fluid atomizing nozzle. The sprays of drops were visualized and the behavior of the suspension in the plasma jet was investigated by implementing the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method. The effects of the suspension formulation (surface tension, liquid viscosity, and relative gas-to-liquid mass ratio, GLR) on the distribution and median value of the drop size as well as on the velocity maximum value were evaluated. The interactions between the sprays and the plasma jet were studied. The differences in the behavior of the particle velocity along and radial to the torch axis were pointed out. The validity of PIV measurements was finally demonstrated by the relation established between the in-flight particle velocity and the coating structure.     

电磁制动下钢液射流及钢-渣界面波动行为的数值模拟

建立了描述全幅一段电磁制动作用下结晶器内钢液射流及钢-渣界面波动行为的数学模型,采用数值模拟方法研究了不同电磁参数对结晶器内钢液射流及其引起的钢-渣界面波动行为的影响,分析了磁感应强度及水平磁极与浸入式水口之间距离变化对结晶器内钢液射流行为和钢-渣界面波动行为的影响。结果表明,当全幅一段电磁制动稳恒磁场同时覆盖射流冲击区域、上返流和下返流区域时(D=20mm),电磁制动的施加可以有效控制钢液射流结构,降低上返流和下返流钢液流速,稳定钢-渣界面波动;当电磁制动水平磁极与浸入式水口垂直距离较远时(D=220mm),增大磁感应强度不能对结晶器内上返流区域钢液流速进行抑制,不利于钢-渣界面波动的稳定,增大卷渣发生几率。     

A coupled model on fluid flow,heat transfer and solidification in continuous casting mold

Fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification of steel in the mold are so complex but crucial, determining the surface quality of the continuous casting slab. In the current study, a 2D numerical model was established by Fluent software to simulate the fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification of the steel in the mold. The VOF model and k-ε model were applied to simulate the flow field of the three phases(steel, slag and air), and solidification model was used to simulate the solidification process. The phenomena at the meniscus were also explored through interfacial tension between the liquid steel and slag as well as the mold oscillation. The model included a 20 mm thick mold to clarify the heat transfer and the temperature distribution of the mold. The simulation results show that the liquid steel flows as upper backflow and lower backflow in the mold, and that a small circulation forms at the meniscus. The liquid slag flows away from the corner at the meniscus or infiltrates into the gap between the mold and the shell with the mold oscillating at the negative strip stage or at the positive strip stage. The simulated pitch and the depth of oscillation marks approximate to the theoretical pitch and measured depth on the slab.     

Numerical and experimental determination of plasma temperature during air plasma spraying with a multiple cathodes torch

A numerical model for the calculation of hydro and thermo dynamical gas flow in a three electric arc torch, considering electromagnetic influences on gas flow behaviour was described and developed. The modelling results were compared with experimentally determined temperatures, obtained by computer tomography. A characteristic threefold symmetrical distribution of temperature on the torch nozzle outlet was obtained numerically as well as experimentally. Calculated and tomographic temperature contours and their rotations were compared and showed good agreement. In the second step, a model for the free jet was used for the evolution of thermal conditions into plasma jet outside the torch. The comparison of the calculated temperature distributions and those determined by tomography exhibit good agreement.     

Modelling the Plasma Jet in Multi-Arc Plasma Spraying

Particle in-flight characteristics in atmospheric plasma spraying process are determined by impulse and heat energy transferred between the plasma jet and injected powder particles. One of the important factors for the quality of the plasma-sprayed coatings is thus the distribution of plasma gas temperatures and velocities in plasma jet. Plasma jets generated by conventional single-arc plasma spraying systems and their interaction with powder particles were subject matter of intensive research. However, this does not apply to plasma jets generated by means of multi-arc plasma spraying systems yet. In this study, a numerical model has been developed which is designated to dealing with the flow characteristics of the plasma jet generated by means of a three-cathode spraying system. The upstream flow conditions, which were calculated using a priori conducted plasma generator simulations, have been coupled to the plasma jet simulations. The significances of the relevant numerical assumptions and aspects of the models are analyzed. The focus is placed on to the turbulence and diffusion/demixing modelling. A critical evaluation of the prediction power of the models is conducted by comparing the numerical results to the experimental results determined by means of emission spectroscopic computed tomography. It is evident that the numerical models exhibit a good accuracy for their intended use.     

基于CFD的清洗用扇形喷嘴清洗参数研究

扇形喷嘴因其均匀的扁平射流能提供其较大的清洗面积而被广泛应用在工业清洗中。打击力和动压是衡量清洗效果的重要参数,合理的匹配喷嘴直径、压力、流量,能更有效、更节能地进行清洗作业。在建立了扇形喷嘴及其外流场的三维模型的基础上,运用FLUENT的VOF两相流模型对不同出口直径的扇形喷嘴在不同压力下的打击力、动压进行了比较分析。结果表明:喷嘴直径和压力的增大都会使打击力增大,但不是二者越大打击力的增大的幅度就越大;同一个扇形喷嘴,射流压力在1~21 MPa之间,打击力会随着压力的增大而增大,但增大的幅度会随之减小,如3 mm喷嘴射流压力从1 MPa提升到2 MPa射流打击力增加率为101%,但从20 MPa提升到21 MPa射流打击力增加率只有5%;相同的射流压力下,扇形喷嘴出口直径在1~3 mm之间,打击力会随着出口直径的增大而增大,但增大的幅度会随之减小,如射流压力为2.5 MPa喷嘴出口直径从1 mm提升到1.5 mm射流打击力增加率为118%,但从2.5mm提升到3 mm射流打击力增加率只有42%。     

低功率等离子体炬生产钛合金粉末的理论与实验研究

探讨使用低功率等离子体炬生产钛合金金属粉末的可能性.设计一种氩气直流非转移电弧等离子体炬,并对其等离子体射流特性和导线温度进行数值分析.喷嘴附件内的最高射流速度为838～1178 m/s,不同气体流速下顶点处的射流速度为494～645 m/s.等离子体气体流速对有效等离子体射流长度无显著影响.利用等离子体射流的温度和速...     

气体放电热源喷涂技术的数值模拟研究现状∗

热喷涂技术是表面工程领域中极为重要的一种装备强化修复技术，其中以气体放电形式为热源的喷涂技术包括等离子喷涂和电弧喷涂，两者更是占据热喷涂领域的绝大市场份额，采用数值模拟可以解决一些在试验上较为棘手的重点研究问题， 如等离子体流场和熔滴传热传质行为等，以期实现工艺参数的准确调控和优异涂层的制备。研究电弧及等离子喷涂模拟的模型差异化问题及流场速度、温度、电磁性质，归纳相关模拟的发展历程，并调查试验与模拟的吻合程度。结果表明：电弧喷涂中丝材原料会使阴阳极产生温度差，水平速度分布较发散，熔滴模型也多未考虑熔滴群间相互作用；等离子喷涂研究中常用的三维瞬态双温模型已十分贴近实际工况，对熔滴飞行中的加热、加速过程及破碎行为的研究已较为完备，但仍存在湍流模型计算精度不够、对鞘层弧柱区的研究不够深入等问题。后续应重点在电弧喷涂多液滴模型、等离子体电磁作用和等离子丝材喷涂工艺的数值模拟等方面进行深入研究。     

Numerical Modelling of Ar-N<Subscript>2</Subscript> Plasma Jet Impinging on a Flat Substrate

Substrate heating in the plasma spray process is one of the important parameters, which affects the microstructure of coatings and bonding between coating and substrate. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to study the thermal exchange between the plasma jet and the substrate. The plasma jet temperature and velocity distributions and thermal flux to the substrate surface are predicted. The effects of arc current, gas flow rate, and stand-off distance on the temperature and velocity fields of the impinging plasma jet and thermal flux to the substrate are clarified. Results indicate that the three-dimensional effect has a very weak influence on the substrate heating. The air entrainment is compared for different cases. The present model is validated by comparing the present results with previous predictions and measurements. The temperature distributions in the substrate for different stand-off distances are predicted.     

激光深熔焊中匙孔形成过程的动态模拟

为了准确的模拟出激光深熔焊接中匙孔变化的动态过程,根据匙孔内激光的能量吸收机制,采用射线跟踪法产生热源,建立了激光深熔焊接过程中气、液、固三相统一的数学模型,并采用了VOF方法追踪自由液面,模型中考虑了表面张力、热浮力和反冲压力的作用,通过数值计算得到了匙孔变化的动态过程与相应的温度分布.结果表明,匙孔形成的主要驱动力是反冲压力,在加热初期,激光主要用来加热金属基体,随着激光辐照时间的增加,熔池表面温度急剧升高,金属进而汽化,产生匙孔.针对304不锈钢的工艺试验表明计算结果与实际相符合.     

Heat and Mass Transfer Within an Evaporating Solution Droplet in a Plasma Jet

Solution precursors have been injected into the plasma gases to produce finely structured ceramic coatings with nano- and sub-micrometric features. The trajectory history and heat and mass transfer within individual solution droplets play a very important role in determining the coating microstructure. A mathematical model is developed to analyse the thermal behavior of individual precursor droplets travelling in the high temperature plasma jet. This model involves the motion and evaporation of the precursor droplet in a DC plasma jet and the heat and mass transfer within the evaporating droplet. The influence of Stefan flow, as well as the variable thermo-physical properties of the solution and the plasma gas, is considered. The internal circulation due to the relative velocity between the droplet and the plasma jet, which may be approximated by the Hill vortex, is considered as well. The trajectory, temporal droplet surface temperature, and radius variation are predicted. The temporal temperature and concentration distributions within the evaporating droplet are presented for different injection parameters.     

Experiment and numerical simulation of two-phase flow in oxygen enriched side-blown furnace

Taking an oxygen enriched side-blown furnace as the prototype, a hydraulic model was established according to the similarity principle. The influence of three factors on the gas—liquid two-phase flow was analyzed, i.e. the airflow speed, the submerged depth and the downward angle of the nozzle. A numerical simulation of the hydraulic model was carried out trying to find the suitable turbulence model which can describe the side-blown two-phase flow correctly by comparing the simulation results with the experimental data. The experiment shows that the airflow speed has a great influence on the flow of the water. The submerged depth of the nozzle has a relatively smaller influence on the penetration depth and the surface fluctuation height in the liquid phase. When the nozzle is at a downward angle of 15°, the penetration depth and the surface fluctuation height are reduced. It is concluded that the numerical results with the realizable k–ɛ turbulence model are the closest to the experiment for the penetration depth, the surface fluctuation height and the bubble scale.