Heat Flux Distribution of DC Arc under AC Magnetic Field

Abstract

Plasma arcs are widely used for welding, cutting, spraying and refining of molten metals, because of their high energy density. Characteristic property of the arc is concentration of heat flux in narrow area. However, for some applications of heating or melting metals over large area, wide arcs with expanded heat flux are often required. By applying transverse AC magnetic field to the arc, the authors have developed a wide heat source, where the arc oscillates back and forth at a high speed synchronized with applied field frequency.
Theoretical and experimental analyses revealed that the energy density of the arc deflected by DC transverse magnetic field reduced with the increase of the field flux density in previous work.
In present work, the authors consider the energy density profile of the expanded arc oscillated by AC magnetic field theoretically. The distribution of the heat flux can be controlled by adjusting a wave form of the electric current through the magnetic field coil.