LTE computation of axisymmetric arc-flow interaction in circuit-breakers

A numerical procedure for the computation of arc-flow interaction in gas-blast circuit breakers is presented. In the proposed approach the flow is obtained via the solution of the Euler equations and the coupling with the arc by a source term in the energy equation. This source term is composed of an ohmic energy production part and a radiative transport part. The equations are solved by a time-marching procedure using a finite-volume discretization. The model is applied to the computation of an axisymmetric arc in a model breaker. The results reproduce qualitatively the major features of arc-flow interaction and show the presence of a localized form of choking of the flow around the arc boundary.<
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