EP0750450A1 - Plasmabrenner mit einer wesentlich axisymmetrischen allgemeinen Struktur - Google Patents

Plasmabrenner mit einer wesentlich axisymmetrischen allgemeinen Struktur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0750450A1
EP0750450A1 EP96450016A EP96450016A EP0750450A1 EP 0750450 A1 EP0750450 A1 EP 0750450A1 EP 96450016 A EP96450016 A EP 96450016A EP 96450016 A EP96450016 A EP 96450016A EP 0750450 A1 EP0750450 A1 EP 0750450A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
torch
envelope
electrode
external
rod
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96450016A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0750450B1 (de
Inventor
Daniel Loubet
Jean-Marie Jacques Spariat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EADS Launch Vehicles SA
Original Assignee
Airbus Group SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Airbus Group SAS filed Critical Airbus Group SAS
Publication of EP0750450A1 publication Critical patent/EP0750450A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0750450B1 publication Critical patent/EP0750450B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H05H1/40—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles using applied magnetic fields, e.g. for focusing or rotating the arc
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/28—Cooling arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H05H1/3431—Coaxial cylindrical electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/34—Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles
    • H05H1/3489—Means for contact starting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to plasma torches, in particular, but not exclusively, to non-transferred arc torches.
  • a plasma torch of this type comprises two coaxial tubular electrodes, in extension of one another and each arranged in a support surrounding it. Means are provided for producing the initiation of an electric arc between the two electrodes, as well as means for injecting a plasma gas, such as air, into a chamber between the electrodes. In each electrode support are also provided means for cooling the electrodes.
  • the plasma torch is provided with means for moving the attachment foot of the electric arc on the upstream electrode, consisting of an electromagnetic coil surrounding the support of said upstream electrode.
  • the invention applies more particularly to a plasma torch, the ignition of the electric arc of which is produced by a temporary short circuit established between the electrodes by means of the momentary movement of the upstream electrode. in contact with the downstream electrode, using a jack device, called a choke jack.
  • This embodiment relates to a compact plasma torch of reduced size intended in particular to be mounted in furnaces for vitrification of waste.
  • This torch generally comprises a tubular casing in which said upstream and downstream electrodes are housed, as well as the plasma gas injection system, the electrode cooling system, the device for displacement of the upstream electrode for start-up purposes and the arc foot displacement field coil.
  • Said casing is connected, at its proximal end, to a connector block, ensuring fluid and electrical connections with the exterior of the torch, which is fixed to the wall of an oven by a clamping system at the height of the junction between said tubular casing and the rear connector part, the tubular casing part, commonly called a naked torch, being engaged in the furnace.
  • the cooling of the electrodes is not optimal and the complexity of the cooling circuit results in significant pressure drops, requiring the use of high operating pressures, for example of the order of 12 bars.
  • this high pressure sounds on the pressure necessary to control the cylinder for moving the upstream electrode, at start-up, since during the retraction of the upstream electrode, following start-up, said cylinder must overcome the thrust downstream exerted by the coolant on the upstream electrode. This is how commonly a pressure of the order of 160 bars is necessary for actuating said cylinder.
  • this type of torch does not offer good accessibility to the wearing parts of the torch (upstream and downstream electrodes) as well as to adjustments, for example example of position and stroke of the choke cylinder. lt is almost necessary to completely disassemble the torch.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the various drawbacks mentioned above of this type of plasma torch and more generally of plasma torches of the non-transferred arc type or of the transferred arc type, whatever the starting system used, by proposing a torch with a simplified general architecture, almost entirely axi-symmetrical and therefore facilitating both the production of the torch and its maintenance.
  • Such an arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the torch and above all to give it the desired length, in relation to that of the successive envelopes, the naked torch receiving, whatever its length, standard internal elements, that is to say the electrode (s), the field coil, the plasma gas injection system, the separators of the cooling circuit and the starting means.
  • a starting device comprising a so-called choke cylinder acting on the upstream electrode to bring it momentarily closer to the downstream electrode
  • said choke cylinder is disposed outside the body of said external structure and comprises a rod which passes right through the cylinder, is connected to the upstream electrode by a connecting rod extending in the body of the external structure and to the interior of said internal envelope and has a section allowing said incoming flow of cooling fluid to exert on said cylinder rod a back pressure tending to counterbalance the pressure of said fluid on the upstream electrode, while the outer end of the cylinder rod is provided with means for adjusting the stroke of this rod.
  • the structure according to the invention also makes it possible to substantially simplify the cooling circuit which has much lower pressure losses than those of the known torch cooling circuit, thus making it possible, with equal cooling capacity, to significantly reduce the pressure required for the fluid. , for example from 12 to 6 bars, with the advantageous indirect consequence, in the case of non-transferred arc torches and starting choke cylinder, of a reduction in proportion to the pressure necessary to actuate the choke cylinder.
  • FIG. 1 a plasma torch according to the invention, usable for example in a waste vitrification oven, consisting of two essential parts, namely a front part called naked torch 1 of generally cylindrical shape and a rear part called connection 2 formed by an external structure ensuring the fluidic and electrical connections of the torch with the outside and allowing the transport and the handling of the torch.
  • a front part called naked torch 1 of generally cylindrical shape
  • connection 2 formed by an external structure ensuring the fluidic and electrical connections of the torch with the outside and allowing the transport and the handling of the torch.
  • the naked torch 1 has a distal end or nose 3, of slightly reduced diameter, while the structure 2, called external because it remains outside the oven when the naked torch 1 is introduced into the latter by an appropriate opening made in the wall, consists of a tubular body 4 coaxial with the naked torch 1, provided at its ends with two flanges 5 in the form of a diamond and carrying at their ends journals 6 of lift, in the known manner, from the torch to a handling spreader (not shown).
  • the naked torch 1 comprises a supporting structure (FIG. 2) formed of three coaxial envelopes partially overlapping, namely a metallic external envelope 7, an intermediate metallic envelope 8 and an internal envelope 9 made of material electrically insulating.
  • the casing 7 is cylindrical, extends over the entire length of the naked torch 1 and is connected at its proximal end to the tubular body 4 of the external structure 2 by an annular connecting piece 10.
  • the envelope 8 is also cylindrical, extends substantially over the length of the envelope 7 of the largest diameter, as well as inside the body 4 to which it is tightly fixed, by a threaded crown 11, approximately in the central area.
  • annular space 12 communicating with an annular space 13 defined between the body 4 and the envelope 8.
  • the space 13 communicates by a passage, represented at 14 in FIG. 1 and symbolized by the same reference numeral in FIG. 2, with a pipe (not shown) for the return of the cooling fluid, in this case water. demineralized, from the hot part of the torch.
  • the intermediate casing 8 serves as a support for an annular separator 15 of the cooling circuit of the downstream electrode 16 which is a conventional annular electrode whose distal end is fixed to the nose of the torch.
  • the distal end of the intermediate envelope 8 also serves, as will be seen below, for fixing the plasma gas injection system 17 and the distal end of the upstream electrode 18 which is also an annular electrode conventional coaxial, like the downstream electrode 16, to the axis 19 of the torch.
  • the casing 9 is a cylindrical tube which extends substantially between the proximal end of the upstream electrode 18 and a place on the body 4 slightly behind the part 11 while being fixed to said body 4 by a threaded crown 20.
  • the tube 9 thus defines, with the intermediate envelope 8, an annular space 21 communicating, on the structure side 2, with an annular space 22 internal to the body 4 and communicating, by a passage represented at 23 in FIG. 1 and only symbolized by the same reference. digital in FIG. 2, with a pipe (not shown) for supplying plasma-generating fluid, in this case air.
  • the distal end of the internal envelope 9 is in sealed contact with the end of an annular separator 24 of the cooling circuit of the upstream electrode 18.
  • the distal end of the separator 24 is connected to the distal end of the intermediate casing 8 by means of an annular connecting piece 26 of electrically insulating material, support for the plasma gas injection system 17.
  • This injection system (see also FIG. 4) comprises an annular perforated grid 27, made of electrically insulating material, arranged in the interval between electrodes 16,18 and on the external face of which is provided a homogenization chamber 28, produced in room 26.
  • the chamber 28 communicates through holes 29 passing through the part 26 with the space 21.
  • the holes 29, six in number (cf. FIG. 4 on which a complete section of the part 26 is shown in perspective) are regularly distributed and their axes 30 do not intersect the axis of the part 26 in order to create a vortex effect when the air enters through the holes 29 in the homogenization chamber 28.
  • the part 26 is pierced with a series of holes 31 with axes parallel to the axis of the part 26, that is to say the axis 19 of the torch, in order to ensure the continuity of the cooling circuit, successively of the upstream electrode 18 and the field coil 25, then of the downstream electrode 16.
  • an abutment pin 35 said to be ignition.
  • the upstream electrode 18 is fixed to the end of a metal rod 36, for example made of copper, itself fixed to the end of a transmission axis 37 of electrically insulating material, of large section and the end of which is slidably mounted in a bore 38 of a flange 39 attached to the external end of the body 4.
  • a metal rod 36 for example made of copper, itself fixed to the end of a transmission axis 37 of electrically insulating material, of large section and the end of which is slidably mounted in a bore 38 of a flange 39 attached to the external end of the body 4.
  • Said sliding end of the axis 37 is integral with a rod 40 extending inside a hollow rod 41 of a choke cylinder 42 fixed to the flange 39, outside the body 4.
  • the hollow rod 41 passes completely through the jack 42 and is secured, at its outer end, to the rod 40 by means of a pair 43 of nut and lock nut. At its other end, the rod 41 is in abutment against a washer 44 integral with the rod 40, by means of a damping spring 45.
  • a screw stop 46 adjustable in position on the jack rod 41, allows, by modifying its distance from the end of the jack 42, to adjust the stroke of the jack rod.
  • the rod 36 carries a metal bush 47 mounted to slide and integral with the support of the field coil 25 to the winding of which said bush 47 is connected.
  • a socket 49 for electrical connection to the coil 25 is fixed to the end of an electrical connection rod 50, parallel to the axis 19, extending opposite the internal tubular casing 9 and passing through the body 4 to be attached to the flange 39, the material of which is of course not electrically conductive.
  • the rod 50 is connected to an electrical connection terminal 51 (plus pole), the minus pole being constituted by the connection terminal 52, connected to the metal body 4.
  • the electrical circuit for supplying the electrodes therefore comprises the rod 50, the part 49, the field coil 25 which is mounted in series, the part 47, the rod 36, the upstream electrode 18, the downstream electrode 16, the torch nose, outer casing 7 and body 4.
  • the internal envelope 9 is in contact by its internal face with a space 53 delimited by the body 4 and in the axis of which extend the rods 36 and 37.
  • This space 53 communicates by a passage, represented at 54 in FIG. 1 and only symbolized by the same reference numeral in FIG. 2, capable of being connected to a pipe (not shown) for the arrival of cooling water from the torch.
  • the cooling water circuit thus consists of the space 53, which communicates through holes 48a formed in the part 47 with an annular space 48b formed between the end piece 48c of the upstream electrode 18 and an annular deflector 48d forming venturi, integral with the coil 25 and channeling water to the space between the upstream electrode 18 and the field coil 25.
  • the water passes into the space between the coil 25 and the tube 33, into space 32 (via perforations 55 to the proximal end of the tube 33), in the passages 31, in the space 34, then in the space 12 and finally in the space 13.
  • This circuit thus completely and directly licks the electrically conductive parts 50,49,47, the upstream tip 48c, then the external face of the upstream electrode 18, the two faces of the field coil 25, the injection system 17, the external face of the downstream electrode 16 and finally the external face of the naked torch 1, over its entire length.
  • Such a circuit is relatively simple in comparison with those of traditional torches. It optimally cools the hot parts of the torch, as well as all of its outer casing 7, which allows the torch to face without damaging the temperatures prevailing in a vitrification oven and which can greatly exceed 1600 ° C, or even reach 2000 ° C.
  • the pressure drops of the cooling circuit are reduced compared to those of conventional circuits, which makes it possible to lower the operating pressure of the source of cooling water for the torch.
  • the pressure of the cooling water has been reduced from 12 to 6 bars.
  • the particular mounting of the choke cylinder 42, completely outside of the body 4, with the connecting rod 37 with a large section immersed in the cooling water at the inlet of the torch allows, on the one hand, adjustment of the cylinder stroke and easy maintenance and, on the other hand, to control the cylinder 42 with a fluid at reduced pressure compared to the usual starters cylinders.
  • the upstream electrode 18 is brought, by the jack 42, into contact with the stop pin 35 at start-up.
  • the jack 42 can only be supplied with a pressure which is largely half as low. If the pressure necessary for the choke cylinder can even be lowered sufficiently, for example up to 7 bars, one can consider using to actuate the cylinder cooling water from the torch.
  • the concentric structure of the envelopes 7,8,9 allows easy access to the interior of the torch, starting by depositing the external envelope 7, for example to replace the electrodes or any other part or for any operation maintenance or repair.
  • connection rod 50 is simply plugged in, by means of the connecting piece. 49, on connection and / or centering pins 56 integral with the coil 25 and the separator 24.
  • distal end of the casing 9 is not integral with the separator 24, which allows the extraction of the casing 9 alone from the torch, to access the fixing (11) of the intermediate envelope 8.
  • the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment shown and described above, but on the contrary covers all its variants, in particular with regard to the arrangement of the plasma gas injector system 17, the arrangement of the field coil 25, the means for controlling the displacement of the upstream electrode at start-up, or even the arrangement of the external structure 2.
  • the invention applies generally to all types of plasma torches with non-transferred arc, whatever the starting system, as well as to all types of plasma torches with transferred arc.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Plasma Technology (AREA)
EP96450016A 1995-06-23 1996-06-19 Plasmabrenner mit einer wesentlich axisymmetrischen allgemeinen Struktur Expired - Lifetime EP0750450B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9507790 1995-06-23
FR9507790A FR2735940B1 (fr) 1995-06-23 1995-06-23 Torche a plasma a structure generale sensiblement axi-symetrique

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0750450A1 true EP0750450A1 (de) 1996-12-27
EP0750450B1 EP0750450B1 (de) 2000-09-27

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EP96450016A Expired - Lifetime EP0750450B1 (de) 1995-06-23 1996-06-19 Plasmabrenner mit einer wesentlich axisymmetrischen allgemeinen Struktur

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US5695664A (de)
EP (1) EP0750450B1 (de)
JP (1) JP4108775B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2179655C (de)
DE (1) DE69610464T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2735940B1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA965303B (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19842074B4 (de) * 1998-09-15 2004-06-03 Castolin S.A. Anode für Plasmaauftragsbrenner
JP4044397B2 (ja) * 2001-10-15 2008-02-06 積水化学工業株式会社 プラズマ表面処理装置
WO2011073170A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-23 Danmarks Tekniske Universitet An apparatus and a method and a system for treating a surface with at least one gliding arc source

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0427590A1 (de) * 1989-11-08 1991-05-15 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Plasmabrenner mit elektromagnetischer Spule zur Rotierung des Lichtbogens
EP0427592A1 (de) * 1989-11-08 1991-05-15 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Plasmabrenner mit Kurzschlusslichtbogenzündung
EP0490882A1 (de) * 1987-01-30 1992-06-17 Hypertherm, Inc. Bogenplasmaflamme und Verfahren zum Kontaktstarten
US5362939A (en) * 1993-12-01 1994-11-08 Fluidyne Engineering Corporation Convertible plasma arc torch and method of use

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4668853A (en) * 1985-10-31 1987-05-26 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Arc-heated plasma lance

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0490882A1 (de) * 1987-01-30 1992-06-17 Hypertherm, Inc. Bogenplasmaflamme und Verfahren zum Kontaktstarten
EP0427590A1 (de) * 1989-11-08 1991-05-15 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Plasmabrenner mit elektromagnetischer Spule zur Rotierung des Lichtbogens
EP0427592A1 (de) * 1989-11-08 1991-05-15 AEROSPATIALE Société Nationale Industrielle Plasmabrenner mit Kurzschlusslichtbogenzündung
US5362939A (en) * 1993-12-01 1994-11-08 Fluidyne Engineering Corporation Convertible plasma arc torch and method of use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5695664A (en) 1997-12-09
ZA965303B (en) 1997-04-14
DE69610464D1 (de) 2000-11-02
FR2735940A1 (fr) 1996-12-27
JPH09115689A (ja) 1997-05-02
CA2179655A1 (fr) 1996-12-24
DE69610464T2 (de) 2001-07-19
CA2179655C (fr) 2007-08-21
EP0750450B1 (de) 2000-09-27
JP4108775B2 (ja) 2008-06-25
FR2735940B1 (fr) 1997-09-19

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