Prediction of electrical characteristics of a non-transferred arc-plasma torch using principles of dynamic similarity

The theory of dynamic similarity has been used to construct a generalized c urrent-voltage characteristic (CVC) of a non-transferred, straight polarity , solid electrode are-plasma torch. The enthalpy number obtained from the e nergy equation has been found to significantly influence the characteristic s of the electric are. The generalized CVC developed has been found to matc h with experimental parameters of other torches having the same basic princ iple of design and used elsewhere. The electrothermal efficiency of the pla sma torch has been determined and put in the form of a generalized correlat ion using dimensionless numbers. The use of the theory of dynamic similarit y to obtain a generalized correlation has been therefore found to be more a ppropriate.