Modeling the Thermal Characteristics of an AC Plasma Torch

An electrothermal model of the behavior of an ac plasma torch is developed using the concept of an "equivalent magnetic field" to account for effects due to the. gas flow field. The thermal characteristics of the model are shown to be in close agreement with empirical results obtained by other workers. The model is of direct and practical importance to the efficient design of electrode configurations for both ac and dc plasma torches and to the development of control strategies for these devices.