Analysis of the plasma-particle interaction during the plasma spraying of beryllium

Beryllium plasma-spray technology is being investigated as a method for coating plasma facing surfaces inside the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER). This study investigated the plasma and plasma-particle interactions that occur during the plasma-spraying of beryllium. To evaluate the effect of the chamber pressure on the temperature, velocity, and trajectory profiles of the injected beryllium particles, the particles were numerically analyzed at three operating pressures (i.e., 101.3, 66.6 and 46.6 kPa) under a fixed operating condition. The thermal plasma was numerically modeled to predict the gas dynamics of the plasma column and plume. This information was then used as boundary conditions to solve the plasma—particle interaction problem at the various operating pressures. Calculations were performed for beryllium particles that ranged in diameter between 4 and 38 μm. Results of the numerical simulations describing the particle temperatures, velocities, and trajectories are discussed.