One-dimensional analysis of the wall region for a multiple-temperature argon plasma

The present analysis is restricted to the wall region for a confined gas plasma and applied specifically to an argon plasma. The wall may be either positive or negative in potential with respect to the plasma, and the electric current may flow either parallel or normal to the wall. Estimates of the Debye shielding distance and the mean free path of various components are made to obtain the range of validity of the analysis, in addition to the situation where the wall acts like a cathode, an anode, or an electrical insulation. Analysis is for a one-dimensional case with an outer boundary, where the plasma temperature is specified. The computational domain is split into a continuum region, where both equilibrium compositions for a two-temperature plasma and a chemically reacting plasma are studied, and a free-fall region. The results allow a quantitative assessment of temperature nonequilibrium and electrical potential distribution in the free-fall region.     

Two-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Direct-Current Electric Arcs in Nonequilibrium

A numerical model has been developed to analyze arc-anode attachment in direct-current electric arcs. The developed model fully couples a plasma flow with electromagnetic fields in a self-consistent manner. Electrons and heavy species are assumed to have different temperatures. Species continuities are taken into account to address the chemical nonequilibrium with the Self-Consistent Effective Binary Diffusion (SCEBD) formulation. Electric and magnetic field equations are determined with a newly developed Ohm’s law, an improvement over the conventional generalized Ohm’s law. The governing equations are discretized and solved using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) and Gauss–Seidel Line Relaxation (GSLR) method in a two-dimensional domain. The model is applied to a two-dimensional axisymmetric high-intensity argon arc. The results are compared favorably with experimental and other numerical data. A significant electric potential drop has been observed in the vicinity of the anode due to the thermal and chemical nonequilibrium effects.     

Modeling and experimental study of a transferred arc stabilized with argon and flowing in a controlled-atmosphere chamber filled with argon at atmospheric pressure

For a transferred arc with a flat anode working at atmospheric pressure in an argon atmosphere, the influence of the gas injector design close to the cathode tip has been systematically studied for arc currents below 300 A, gas flowrates between 5 and 60 slm, and anode-cathode distances between 10 and 46 mm. Two types of injector configurations hare been studied: a cylindrical one with its wall parallel to the cathode axis and a conical one with the same cone angle as that of the cathode tip. The arc temperature was measured using flit, absolute intensity of ArI and ArII lines. Beside the roltagc and arc current, the losses at the cathode and at the anode were continuously recorded. An elliptic model was used to calculate the flow velocity, the temperature, and the current density close to the cathode and in the arc column. This model was either laminar or turbulent (K - ), with the empirical constants being functions of the Reynolds nunther of turbulence. A cathode sheath with nonequilibrium conditions was used to obtain accurate cathode boundary conditions. Experiments and modeling hart shown the benefits of using conical injectors which constrict drasfically the plasma_ flow and enhance the gas velocity and the current density, thus increasing the heat flux to the anode. With the cylindrical injector, recirculations close to the cathode lip modify deeply its heating and reduce the plasma jet constriction: velocities and temperatures are lower when the recirculation velocity is higher. This results in lower heat fluxes to the anode compared to the conical injector.     

Nonequilibrium modeling of low-pressure argon plasma jets; Part I: Laminar flow

This paper presents a modeling attempt related to low-pressure plasma spraying processes which find increasing applications for materials processing. After a review of the various models for ionization and recombination processes, a two-temperature model for argon plasmas in chemical (ionization) nonequilibrium is established using finite rate chemistry. Results of sample calculations manifest departures from kinetic as well as chemical equilibrium, demonstrating that the conventional models based on the LTE (local thermodynamic equilibrium) assumption cannot provide proper prediction for low-pressure plasma jets.     

Numerical Modeling of an Ar–H<Subscript>2</Subscript> Radio-Frequency Plasma Reactor under Thermal and Chemical Nonequilibrium Conditions

The species densities and the thermal and chemical nonequilibrium phenomena in an Ar–H₂ radio frequency inductively coupled plasma reactor used for hydrogenation of materials have been investigated through numerical simulation. The mathematical model consists of a two-temperature fluid dynamics model and a chemical kinetics model that takes into account the effect of local chemical nonequilibrium. Computations are carried out for the rf plasma running at 11.7 kW and 27 kPa for different Ar–H₂ mixtures and for pure argon. Predicted results for the electron and heavy-species temperatures, the species densities, as well as the degree of thermal and chemical nonequilibrium, are presented in detail. It is found that the electron and hydrogen atom densities in the reactor and in the near-wall region of the torch are strongly altered by nonequilibrium effects. The hydrogen atom density remains high in the reactor zone, and peaks in a region that has been found to be attractive for material processing. Deviations from thermal and chemical equilibrium are greatly reduced by the addition of hydrogen to an argon plasma.     

Effect of Anode Arc Root Position on the Behavior of the DC Non-transferred Plasma Jet at Field Free Region

A special bi-anode plasma torch that can change the anode arc root position without changing working gas flow rate has been developed to investigate the effect of anode arc root position on the behavior of the plasma jet. It has two nozzle-shaped anodes at different axial distances from the cathode tip. The arc root can be formed at anodes either close to the cathode tip (anode I) or far away from it (anode II) to obtain different attachment positions and arc voltages. The characteristics of pure argon plasma jets operated in different anode modes were measured in the field free region by using an emalpy probe, and the thermal efficiency of the torch was determined by measuring the temperature differences between cooling water flowing in and out of the torch. The results show that compared with the normal arc operated in anode I mode, the elongated arc operated in anode II mode significantly reduced the plasma energy loss inside the torch, resulting in a higher temperature and a higher velocity of the plasma jet in the field free region.     

Determination of the arc-root position in a DC plasma torch

The behavior of an arc operated in the nontransferred mode with a conical-shaped cathode and a nozzle-shaped anode is studied by applying general tyro-dimensional conservation equations and auxiliary relations for the simulation of arc channel flows. The position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface is determined by using Steenbeck's minimum principle, which postulates a minimum arc voltage for a given current and certain given boundary conditions. The overall effects of the anode-arc root on the plasma flow are, studied by comparing the results with those of the transferred mode of operation. Specific arc-channel diameters are chosen in the simulation in order to verify flit, numerical model through comparisons with experimental results. The results show that Steenbeck's minimum principle is useful for determining the position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface. Application of this method for control of the arc-anode attachment may be valuable in the design and operation of plasma spray torches to avoid jet instabilities.     

A differential fluctuation theorem

We derive a nonequilibrium thermodynamics identity (the "differential fluctuation theorem") that connects forward and reverse joint probabilities of nonequilibrium work and of arbitrary generalized coordinates corresponding to states of interest. This identity allows us to estimate the free energy difference between domains of these states. Our results follow from a general symmetry relation between averages over nonequilibrium forward and backward path functions derived by Crooks [Crooks, G. E. Phys. Rev. E 2000, 61, 2361-2366]. We show how several existing nonequilibrium thermodynamic identities can be obtained directly from the differential fluctuation theorem. We devise an approach for measuring conformational free energy differences, and we demonstrate its applicability to the analysis of molecular dynamics simulations by estimating the free energy difference between two conformers of the alanine dipeptide model system. We anticipate that these developments can be applied to the analysis of laboratory experiments.     

Mathematical Modeling of Silica Anode Decomposition

The volatilization of quartz in a transferred arc plasma followed byquench and recondensation is a promising route to the production offumed silica. In this work, an existing model of a transferred arcwas modified and combined with a newly developed model of a moltensilica anode to predict the behavior of a transferred arc evaporatoras a function of current and plasma gas flow rate. The model predictstemperature, current, and flow fields in both the plasma and anode aswell as evaporation rates. Although quantitative agreement withexperimental results was not possible because of insufficient propertydata for silica at high temperature, the results were within an orderof magnitude of those measured experimentally. The model developed isuseful for the design and scaleup of this type of reactor.     

Physicochemical processes in the nonequilibrium plasma-polymer system

The results of investigation into interaction between nonequilibrium plasma and polymers, including the mechanism of generation of active species in a direct-current discharge in oxygen, air, and oxygen mixtures with argon, are reported, and the formation behavior of gaseous products of the reactions of these species with polymer is discussed. The influence of the gaseous products on the physical characteristics of plasma and the rates of the processes involving electrons is considered.     

Methane conversion in low-temperature plasma

The conversion of methane in electric discharges of different types and under electron beam irradiation are considered. The influence of nonequilibrium conditions of conversion in low-temperature plasma on the energy consumption, product composition, and selectivity is analyzed. The results of works on plasma pyrolysis, partial plasma oxidation, and steam and carbon dioxide reforming of methane in a low-temperature plasma are discussed. It is shown that the use of chain processes makes it possible to substantially reduce the power consumption for methane conversion by an electrophysical device.     

Nonthermal Plasma Synthesis of Nanocrystals: Fundamentals,Applications, and Future Research Needs

Nonthermal plasma synthesis has emerged as a viable alternative to nanocrystal synthesis in the liquid phase or by other gas phase based methods. The nonequilibrium environment containing free charge carriers enables the synthesis of nanocrystals with excellent crystallinity and narrow size distributions. This paper reviews the fundamental mechanisms involved in the synthesis of nanocrystals with nonthermal plasmas. It discusses the luminescent properties of plasma-produced silicon nanocrystals and their application in devices such as light emitting diodes. The ability of plasma synthesis to generate doped nanocrystals is a particularly appealing attribute. We present boron and phosphorous doped silicon nanocrystals and review their applications as near infrared plasmonic materials. Finally, the author presents his view of some important research needs in the area of nonthermal plasma synthesis of nanocrystals.     

Effects of Copper Vapor on Heat Transfer from Atmospheric Nitrogen Plasma to a Molten Metal Anode

As an object of nitrogen plasma operated with an arc current to 200 A, an arc length about 35 mm, we evaluated heating efficiency from arc plasma to the molten copper anode and the water-cooled solid copper anode. The heating efficiency to the molten anode is smaller than that to the solid anode by about 20%. We focused on copper vapor concentration in plasma as a possible cause for a decrease in heating efficiency, and estimated it by means of the Cu and the N spectral line measurement. Simple numerical analysis, taking into consideration measured copper vapor concentration, suggested that an increase in electrical conductivity due to copper vapor, made the plasma temperature change and consequently caused a decrease in thermal conductivity. We concluded that one of the reasons for a decrease in heating efficiency would be caused by copper vapor contamination.     

常压微等离子体阳极与离子溶液界面的电荷转移反应

常压微等离子体电极是一种有望取代常用贵金属电极用于电化学反应的气体电极. 然而目前关于微等离子体阳极与离子溶液界面反应的研究及其用于金属电沉积的报道还较少. 本文使用常压微等离子体作为阳极, 通过紫外-可见吸收光谱监测阳极电解液中亚铁氰化钾被氧化生成的铁氰化钾的含量, 发现铁氰化钾的含量随放电时间的延长而增加, 并且其增加的速率与放电电流成比例. 在放电结束后, 随着放置时间的延长铁氰化钾的含量继续升高, 其升高的速率与放电时间的长短有关. 放电结束后铁氰化钾含量的增加速率远小于放电时的增加速率. 实验结果表明微等离子体电极可以作为气体阳极在等离子体和液体界面进行电荷传输, 并引发电化学反应, 同时在放电的过程中产生了氧化活性物质. 在饱和硫酸铜溶液中, 使用微等离子体阳极可以在不锈钢阴极上进行铜的电沉积, 电流效率达到90%.     

Improved performances of E. coli-catalyzed microbial fuel cells with composite graphite/PTFE anodes

The composite graphite/PTFE electrodes with a variety of PTFE contents were tested as anodes in microbial fuel cell (MFC) based on the biocatalysis of bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is shown that the PTFE content in the composite electrodes can significantly influence the efficiency of current generation of the MFCs. The composite electrodes with optimized PTFE contents, e.g., 24% to 36% (w/w), are well-suited to serve as anode of E. coli-catalyzed MFCs. In the absence of exogenous electron mediators, E. coli-catalyzed MFC with the composite anode containing 30% PTFE and a conventional air cathode exhibited a power density of 760 mW m⁻², which is even much higher than those reported in the literature so far for E. coli MFCs using efficient electron mediators. These results show significant prospects for developing low cost and effective anode of MFCs.     

Applications and trends of nonequilibrium plasma chemistry with organic and organometallic compounds

The possibilities and limitations of available apparatus for nonequilibrium discharges are discussed. Especially for synthetic work there is a lack of suitable equipment. The unique possibilities which plasmas offer to chemistry are demonstrated by examples from the homogeneous gas phase, and from plasma liquid and plasma solid interactions. Various applications and major trends are being described. The most rapidly increasing field of plasma chemistry is presently the formation of thin films of metals, oxides, carbides, or nitrides by plasma enhanced CVD. The latest results, and especially the use of organometallic compounds and starting material, are being discussed.     

Ignition with low-temperature plasma: Kinetic mechanism and experimental verification

The results of experiments and calculations performed at the Laboratory of Physics of Nonequilibrium Systems, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology from 1996 to 2008 to demonstrate the efficiency of low-temperature plasma in initiation of combustion of gas mixtures over a wide range of initial conditions are surveyed. In the studies reviewed, a method for quantitative analysis of kinetic processes during ignition of combustible gas mixtures by nonequilibrium plasma was developed.     

Operating characteristics and energy distribution in transferred plasma arc systems

A specially designed plasma chamber was constructed to study the operating characteristics of a dc plasma-transferred arc of argon, struck between a fluid convective cathode and a water-cooled anode. The arc voltage increased markedly with arc length and with an increase in the inlet velocity of the argon flow past the cathode tip, and much less with an increase in current. Radiation from the plasma column to the chamber walls and transfer of energy to the anode were the two principal modes of transfer of the arc energy. The former was dominant in the case of long arcs and at high inlet argon velocities. At the anode, the major contribution was from electron transfer, which occurred on a very small area of the anode (～5 mm in diameter). Convective heat transfer from the plasma was somewhat less. In all cases, the arc energy contributions to cathode cooling and to the exit gas enthalpy were small. From total heat flux and radiative heat transfer measurements, it was estimated that the plasma temperature just above the anode was in the range 10,000–12,000 K. Preliminary experiments with an anode consisting of molten copper showed that the arc root was no longer fixed but moved around continuously. The arc was othwewise quite stable, and its operating characteristics differed little from those reported for solid anodes, in spite of the greater extent of metal vaporization.     

Electrochemical treatment of tumours: a simplified mathematical model

Electrochemical treatment of tumours implies that tumour tissue is treated with a direct current. During electrolysis, electrical energy is converted to chemical energy through electrochemical reactions at the electrodes. The anode is preferably placed in the tumour and the cathode in a blood vessel or in fresh surrounding tissue. The main electrochemical reactions are chlorine and oxygen evolution, at the anode, if platinum is used. Hydrogen evolution takes place at the cathode. The aim of this paper is to show how mathematical modelling can be used as a tool for defining and optimising the operating conditions of electrochemical treatment (ET) of tumours. A simplified mathematical model is presented for direct current treatment of tumours, focusing on tissue surrounding a spherical platinum anode. The tissue is treated as an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and only the major electrochemical reactions are considered. The model is based on transport equations of ionic species in dilute solutions. Kinetic expressions for the electrochemical reactions, at the anode surface, are introduced. Inputs to the model are the applied current density, and sizes of the anode and electrolyte domain. Concentration profiles of the ionic species and potential distribution, as a function of time, are calculated. In addition, current yields of the anode reactions are obtained from the model.     

不同进气方式对热等离子体应用于CH4-CO2重整的影响

采用大功率双阳极热等离子体装置, 对CH4-CO2重整制合成气进行实验研究. 实验采用两种不同的原料气输入方式: 一种是使原料气(CH4和CO2的混合气体)作为等离子体放电气体全部通入第1阳极与第2阳极间的放电区, 直接参与放电; 另一种是保持前述状态, 再附加另一部分原料气通入从等离子体发生器喷出的等离子体射流区. 实验表明: 第1种方式下, CH4和CO2同时具有很高的单程转化率和反应选择性, 但能量转化效率较低; 第2种方式下, 尽管CH4和CO2单程转化率和选择性有所降低, 但由于进料量增加, 所得合成气摩尔量较大, 因此能量转化效率高于第1种进气方式所得结果. 实验还发现, 保持放电电流恒定的情况下, 等离子体放电电压随通入第1阳极与第2阳极间放电区的原料气流量增加而增加, 与通入等离子体射流区的流量无关, 同时实验未发现等离子体发生器阴极和阳极被氧化或出现碳沉积现象.