Modeling of Free-burning Arc and Its Interaction with Copper

Abstract

Abstract.A 2-D free-burning arc model and its interaction with anode are reported. The whole model is simulated in the FLUENT. Under the condition of argon plasma, copper is used as anode. Through the calculation steady MHD equations, argon plasma can be simulated. For the anode material part, the temperature field and the stress field can be got. Especially the stress field, it contains two parts: the thermal stress produced by the temperature gradient and the surface stress given by the plasma. Temperature stress play a dominate position compare with the plasma pressure. The energy transfer between fluid and solid can also be well analyzed. Comparing all the fluxes on the anode, electrical flux has a major role at a short distance of radial. With the increase of radial distance, conduction and enthalpy flux are gradually into a dominant position.