Numerical simulation of turbulent flow model in a RF induction plasma torch

Summary Form only given, as follows. A mathematical flow model of the turbulent gas discharge has been formulated for the numerical simulation of the flow field in an RF induction plasma torch. The velocity, temperature, and turbulent intensity distribution over the entire field of the torch have been obtained for an argon plasma under atmospheric pressure and inlet Reynolds numbers 3016 and 5556. The influences of Reynolds number and swirl velocity on the flow fields have been investigated. The electromagnetic field equations have been solved using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Calculations have been made for an argon plasma at atmospheric pressure under the following operating conditions: total discharge power of 8 kW; induction frequency of 3 MHz; total gas flow rate Q/sub 0/=190 and 350 l/min; gas distribution Q/sub 1/:Q/sub 2/:q/sub 3/=1:3:16; swirl velocities W=0 and 30 m/s; and the computation inlet Reynolds numbers R/sub ei/=3016 and 5556.<>