US3665244A - Regulation of plasma generators - Google Patents

Regulation of plasma generators Download PDF

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Publication number
US3665244A
US3665244A US42809A US3665244DA US3665244A US 3665244 A US3665244 A US 3665244A US 42809 A US42809 A US 42809A US 3665244D A US3665244D A US 3665244DA US 3665244 A US3665244 A US 3665244A
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Prior art keywords
liquid
pressure
stabilizing liquid
duct
stabilizing
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Expired - Lifetime
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US42809A
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English (en)
Inventor
Tibor Kugler
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Lonza AG
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Lonza AG
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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
    • H05H1/3405—Arrangements for stabilising or constricting the arc, e.g. by an additional gas flow

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to regulating arrangements for fluid stabilized plasma generators.
  • Fluid stabilized plasma generators which comprise a stabilization channel for the arc column, the stabilization channel having a comparatively small channel diameter for the arc, and an electrode chamber with a larger diameter than that of the stabilization channel.
  • the pressure of the plasma produced by the arc discharge acts directly on the free surface of the flowing stabilizing liquid. Since the pressure of the plasma alters with current intensity of the are, a varying counter-pressure acts against the inflow of the stabilizing liquid. This counter-pressure increases as the intensity of the arc increases in a given plasma generator.
  • too little stabilizing liquid is supplied in the liquid stabilized plasma generators known at present, and too much liquid-gas mixture is discharged at the discharge duct.
  • Plasma generator constructions are also known in which there is provided at the outlet from the electrode chamber a throttle member which, after ignition of the arc, throttles the outflow.
  • This arrangement also does not fulfill requirements, although the losses of plasma gas are reduced. Deterioration of the cooling cannot be avoided.
  • This arrangement moreover, can only be used for a predetermined small are current and is subject, when the power drops, to the same dangers as mentioned above.
  • a method of stabilizing the flows in a liquid stabilized plasma generator comprises supplying a constant amount of stabilizing liquid, independent of the flow resistance of the plasma generator, through at least one stabilizing liquid supply duct into the plasma generator.
  • the amount of stabilizing liquid supplied is kept constant by a device measuring the amount flowing through, which device is connected through a pulse transmitter to a pressure regulator.
  • a further advantageous manner of performing the method according to the invention comprises regulating the flow resistance (pressure) in at least one of the outlet ducts for the liquid to be drawn off in dependence on the amount of flow in at least one of the supply ducts.
  • vmetering can be effecting by including a metering duct between the measuring device and the pressure regulator in the supply duct. If a constant amount is fed back, the amount being kept constant by a measuring device coupled with a pressure regulator, then the amount fed back can be controlled at any point in the supply duct. If a plurality of supply ducts are used for the stabilizing liquid, -it is often advantageous to couple at least two of them. In this way the pressure in the duct which is coupled with the duct supplying the constant amount into the plasma generator can be altered.
  • the regulating impulse is obtained directly from the plasma pressure.
  • the flow is also controlled in a suitable manner in dependence on the cause of the variation.
  • the invention enables the flow ratio in the stabilization channel and in the electrode chamber to be controlled separately, and also enables the pressure and the flow, and also the temperature, of the circulating stabilizing liquid around the plasma arc and the edge region a of the plasma arc to be adjusted.
  • the discharge of uncondensed gasses, which can build up in the chambers, and any liquid or solid products formed by the effect of the plasma on the electrodes, can be readily discharged without interrupting the continuous operation of the generator.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plasma generator in longitudinal section with an associated schematic of a flow regulating system
  • FIGS. 2 to 5 are schematic diagrams of four different modifications of the flow regulating system arrangement of FIG. 1.
  • a plasma generator having an cathode electrode chamber in which plasma are 13 is established between anode electrode 7 and a rod-shaped electrode 7 is supplied with stabilizing liquid through supply ducts having inlets 1 and 3.
  • the stabilizing liquid together with steaming gasses and any electrode products fonned in the generator, leaves the electrode space through an annular space between restrictors 8 and 9 and through an outlet opening 2.
  • the stabilizing liquid from the stabilization channel formed by restrictors 9, 10 and 12 is discharged through the annular space between the restrictors l0 and 11 and through an opening 4.
  • a predetermined amount of stabilizing liquid independent of the pressure in the generator is supplied to the electrode chamber through the inlet 1 by way of the supply duct connected thereto, which is provided with a measuring device 6 for measuring the through flow (e.g., a Venturi tube) coupled through a pulse transmitter 47, (e.g. a'pressure duct) with a pressure regulator 5 that is connected to a supply source of liquid.
  • a measuring device 6 for measuring the through flow e.g., a Venturi tube
  • a pulse transmitter 47 e.g. a'pressure duct
  • a pressure regulator 5 that is connected to a supply source of liquid.
  • the stabilizing liquid flowing out from the electrode space through an opening 2, which is mixed with gas and steam, is drawn by a pump 14 and fed into a flow divider 15.
  • the flow divider 15 is provided with an outlet duct 16 for periodic removal of solid or liquid products. From the flow divider 15 a part of the stabilizing liquid is fed back to a duct 17 between the measuring devices 6 and the pressure regulator 5. Another part of the liquid is fed through a regulator 18 from the flow divider. This part is suitably such that it contains the non-condensable products.
  • a suitable amount of the stabilizing liquid is removed from the stabilization space through an opening 4 by a pump 19 and passes through a pressure regulator 20 and flow measuring device 21, which are connected by a pulse transmitter 47.
  • the pressure at-the free surface of the stabilizing liquid alters in the plasma generator, e.g., in the electrode space, then the pressure at the inlet 1 also alters.
  • the measuring device 6 measures a very small change in the amount of through flow stabilizing liquid, indicates this very small amount to the pressure regulator 5 and the latter, by raising the pressure, ensures that the through flow amount of stabilizing liquid to inlet 1 remains constant.
  • the supply duct to the inlet 3 is connected to the supply duct to the inlet 1.
  • a constant amount of stabilizing liquid regulated by the flow measuring device 6, pulse transmitter 47 and pressure regulator 5, is fed into the electrode space.
  • the supply to the inlet 3 in the stabilization channel is controlled either by a pressure regulator 25 or by a connection 24.
  • the pressure is regulated in a predetermined relationship to the pressure prevailing in the duct to the inlet 1.
  • the supply is ensured by the connection between the flow regulator 5 and the flow measuring device 6 with the same pressure as in the supply opening 1.
  • the discharge of the stabilizing liquid from the electrode space is effected through the opening 2, the pump 14, and the flow divider 15.
  • a pressure regulator 28 which is controlled by the connection 29 to the pressure inlet duct to opening 1, the constant pressure difference between opening 2 and pressure regulator 25 is maintained independently of the pressure in the electrode chamber.
  • the amount of (hot) liquid to be fed back is predetermined by the control arrangement (flow measuring device 27, pressure regulator 26 and pulse transmitter 47) and thereby the temperature of the liquid in the electrode chamber is regulated.
  • the discharge of the gas/steam/liquid mixture at the outlet 4 is controlled by a regulator 30, which maintains a constant pressure difference between the pressure in the mouth of the restrictor l 1 and the outlet opening 4.
  • the discharge valve 16 of the flow divider 15 is controlled by a regulator 31 to provide a constant flow for an uninterrupted discharge of a part of the liquid coming from the electrode chamber.
  • a part of the stabilizing liquid coming from the opening 2 is fed back into the supply duct to the inlet 3 of the stabilization chamber.
  • the stabilization chamber is thereby supplied with liquid which is preheated in the electrode chamber.
  • This duct can be regulated either by the regulating arrangement comprising the flow measuring device 27, the pressure regulator 26 and the pulse transmitter 47, or can be regulated to a pressure which is proportional to the pressure in the duct to the opening 1 and which is controlled by the regulator 28 connected by the connection 29 to the duct 1.
  • the liquid mixture (with gas and steam) flowing out from the opening 4 is controlled by a flow regulator 35, which obtains a pulse representing the flow to opening 3 from a control element (flow regulator 32).
  • the amount of flow to the stabilizing channel through the opening 3 is kept constant by the flow measuring device 23 and the pressure regulator 22.
  • the pressure at the opening 1 is controlled either by a pressure regulator 36 or by a connection 37 between the regulating elements 23 and 22.
  • a regulator 38 which is provided before the inlet of the pump 14, ensures a constant pressure difference between the outflow from opening 2 and the inflow into opening 1 or 3.
  • FIG. 5 only two regulating devices are employed.
  • the regulation of the outflow from the opening 4 is effected as in FIGS. 1 and 4.
  • the metering to the inlets l and 3 and the discharge from the opening 2 of the electrode chamber through the pump 14 takes place through a pressure enclosure 43.
  • This enclosure performs the function of the pressure regulator 40 and of the flow divider.
  • the amount of the supply to the inlet opening 1 is kept constant by the flow measuring device 6 co-operating with a spring 39 and a membrane 38 in the pressure regulator 40 (safety valve).
  • the pressure before the pressure regulator 40 which is adjusted in accordance with the pressure prevailing in the electrode chamber, is equal for the supply to openings 1 and 3; likewise for the counter-pressure for the pump 14. In this way the pressure difference between the supply ducts and the discharge duct (opening 2) are kept constant.
  • a liquid stabilized plasma generator as shown in FIG. 1 was operated firstly without a regulating arrangement and then with a regulating arrangement according to FIGS. 1 to 5.
  • the stabilizing liquid leaving the system was calorimetrically examined.
  • the inlet and outlet amounts of the stabilizing liquid were in all cases equal before the ignition of the are 13, and likewise the temperature of the liquid, the current intensity and the arc voltage were measured in all cases.
  • the current intensity was the same in all cases.
  • a current of about 500 amps during operation of the generator without a regulating device the voltage at the arc was 320 volts, and the power supplied to the are therefore amounted to 160 kilowatts.
  • the cooling loss measured in the liquid leaving through the openings 2 and 4 was found to be 80 kilowatts.
  • a method of operating a liquid stabilized arc discharge plasma generator comprising,
  • a method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of stabilizing liquid to be supplied is kept constant by measuring the amount of stabilizing liquid being supplied to the plasma arc discharge space, and controlling the input pressure of said stabilizing liquid with said measuring step.
  • the measuring step is accomplished in an inlet supply duct for supplying the stabilizing liquid to the plasma arc discharge space
  • the withdrawing step is accomplished through at least one outlet duct connected to the plasma arc discharge space, and including regulating the pressure of the gaseous and liquid portions of the stabilizing liquid in said at least one outlet duct in dependence on the amount of stabilizing liquid flowing into the plasma arc discharge space through said inlet supply duct.
  • the withdrawing step includes recycling a part of the withdrawn liquid portion of the stabilizing liquid into the plasma arc discharge space in the step of continuously supplying stabilizing liquid thereto.
  • a liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a second pressure regulating means and a second measuring device for measuring the amount of stabilizing liquid to be withdrawn are connected in series in said liquid outlet, and second transmitting means connected between said second measuring device and said second pressure regulating means whereby said second measuring device controls the latter to control the flow of stabilizing liquid from said liquid outlet.
  • a liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a discharge duct connected to said liquid outlet, a pump connected in said discharge duct, at least one flow duct connected to said discharge duct on the opposite side of the pump from the liquid outlet, a pressure regulator connected in said flow duct, and a recycling duct having one end connected to the opposite side of the pump from the liquid outlet and the opposite end connected to said at least one supply duct between said measuring device and said pressure regulating means for recirculating circulated stabilizing liquid from said withdrawal chamber back into said means to circulate liquid around the electric arc.
  • a liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a discharge duct connected to said liquid outlet, a pump having an output connected in said discharge duct, a flow divider connected to the output of said pump, a feed-back duct connected between said flow divider and said supply duct, a second pressure regulating means and second measuring device connected in series in said feed-back duct and a second transmitting means connected between said second measuring device and said second pressure regulating means to control feed-back of a constant amount of circulated stabilizing liquid into said supply duct, and a third pressure regulating means connected to said flow divider and having a control connection with said supply duct for regulating the pressure of the circulated stabilizing liquid to be discharged from said liquid outlet in dependence on the pressure in said suppl duct.
  • a regulating system as set forth in claim including a pressure enclosure which serves as a flow divider, a second pressure regulating means connected to said pressure enclosure, a discharge duct connected to convey circulated stabilizing liquid from said liquid outlet to said pressure enclosure, and a pump connected in said discharge duct for pumping said circulated stabilizing liquid through said discharge duct.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Plasma Technology (AREA)
  • Polysaccharides And Polysaccharide Derivatives (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Discharge Heating (AREA)
US42809A 1969-06-05 1970-06-02 Regulation of plasma generators Expired - Lifetime US3665244A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH854669A CH493183A (de) 1969-06-05 1969-06-05 Verfahren zur Regelung der Strömung in einem flüssigkeitsstabilisierten Plasmagenerator

Publications (1)

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US3665244A true US3665244A (en) 1972-05-23

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US42809A Expired - Lifetime US3665244A (en) 1969-06-05 1970-06-02 Regulation of plasma generators

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US (1) US3665244A (en, 2012)
JP (1) JPS5035399B1 (en, 2012)
BE (1) BE751544A (en, 2012)
CH (1) CH493183A (en, 2012)
DE (1) DE2027341A1 (en, 2012)
FR (1) FR2045865A1 (en, 2012)
GB (1) GB1300172A (en, 2012)
NL (1) NL7008217A (en, 2012)
NO (1) NO128386B (en, 2012)
SE (1) SE362773B (en, 2012)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2411050A1 (fr) * 1977-12-08 1979-07-06 Alusuisse Procede pour donner une forme spherique par fusion a des particules de ferrite
US4639570A (en) * 1982-02-15 1987-01-27 Karel Zverina Apparatus for stabilization of low-temperature plasma of an arc burner
US20090114069A1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2009-05-07 Ernst Aunitzky Coupling Device for a Water Vapor Cutting Device
CZ305206B6 (cs) * 2010-12-31 2015-06-10 Ústav Fyziky Plazmatu Akademie Věd České Republiky, V. V. I. Plazmatron s obloukem stabilizovaným kapalinou

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60163619U (ja) * 1984-04-09 1985-10-30 クロイ電機株式会社 組立電気スタンド
AT502421B1 (de) * 2005-09-09 2007-06-15 Fronius Int Gmbh Wasserdampf-schneidverfahren und brenner hierzu
AT502448B1 (de) * 2005-09-09 2007-06-15 Fronius Int Gmbh Wasserdampfplasmabrenner

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2411050A1 (fr) * 1977-12-08 1979-07-06 Alusuisse Procede pour donner une forme spherique par fusion a des particules de ferrite
US4162283A (en) * 1977-12-08 1979-07-24 Swiss Aluminium Ltd. Method of melting magnetically weak particles of arbitrary shape into substantially spherically-shaped globules
US4639570A (en) * 1982-02-15 1987-01-27 Karel Zverina Apparatus for stabilization of low-temperature plasma of an arc burner
AU583149B2 (en) * 1982-02-15 1989-04-20 Ceskoslovenska Akademie Ved Method for stabilization of low-temperature plasma of an arc burner, and the arc burner for carrying out said method
US20090114069A1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2009-05-07 Ernst Aunitzky Coupling Device for a Water Vapor Cutting Device
US8288677B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2012-10-16 Fronius International Gmbh Coupling device for a water vapor cutting device
CZ305206B6 (cs) * 2010-12-31 2015-06-10 Ústav Fyziky Plazmatu Akademie Věd České Republiky, V. V. I. Plazmatron s obloukem stabilizovaným kapalinou

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO128386B (en, 2012) 1973-11-05
FR2045865A1 (en, 2012) 1971-03-05
JPS5035399B1 (en, 2012) 1975-11-15
DE2027341A1 (de) 1970-12-10
BE751544A (fr) 1970-11-16
CH493183A (de) 1970-06-30
GB1300172A (en) 1972-12-20
NL7008217A (en, 2012) 1970-12-08
SE362773B (en, 2012) 1973-12-17

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