Study of the Effects of the Induction Plasma Torch Parameters on its Jet Characteristics

Thermal plasma jets, generated by three induction plasma torches of different physical sizes and operated under different input power levels, were characterized in terms of their flow parameters (temperature, velocity, concentration and heat flux profiles) using the enthalpy probe and mass spectrometry techniques as the diagnostic tools. It is shown by this study that when two torches of different size (i.e. plasma confinement tube diameter) are used under the same power level, the jet generated with the smaller tube torch has higher centerline values for the plasma temperature, velocity and local heat flux. Furthermore, these characteristics of plasma jets, when generated by a small scale induction unit, are closely reproduced for larger scale installations, a result that is reassuring when scale-up of induction plasma operations is under consideration.