REGIMES OF ARC PLASMA-FLOW AT LOW-PRESSURE

The subsonic plasma jets with the diffusive shapes and supersonic cyli ndrical jets in argon and nitrogen in low pressure chamber using the p lasma torch with segmented anode were generated. These plasma flow reg imes are obtained for specified conditions of plasma torch operating p arameters and pressure in chamber. Based on the LTE assumption, simple calculations have been performed for predicting the conditions of gen erating supersonic and subsonic plasma jets. These calculations allow to analyse the temperature, velocity and shape of plasma jets for oper ating parameters of plasma torch such as arc current, gas flow rate an d pressure in the chamber. The energy transfer for subsonic and supers onic jets is also calculated and discussed.