M. Desilets et al., MODELING OF THE REACTIVE SYNTHESIS OF ULTRA-FINE POWDERS IN A THERMALPLASMA REACTOR, Journal of physics. D, Applied physics, 30(13), 1997, pp. 1951-1960
A two-dimensional, chemical kinetics and aerosol growth model is devel
oped for the comprehensive simulation of the reactive synthesis of ult
ra-fine particles in a thermal plasma reactor. The model solves the ve
locity and temperature fields that are coupled to the equations descri
bing the electromagnetic induction field. Conservation equations for t
he plasma species consider the multi-component diffusion and chemical
reactions. For the condensable product, an additional term is introduc
ed, due to the phase change. Particle growth occurs via homogeneous nu
cleation and surface condensation, and an evaporation term is consider
ed for concentrations below saturation. The model is applied to the sy
nthesis of silicon metal powders by the dissociation of SiCl4. The eff
ect of the input power and that of the radial quenching are investigat
ed by comparison with a simulation base case.