Numerical Investigation of the Swirl Gas Angle Dependence on Evaporation of Hafnium Cathode in a Plasma Cutting Arc

摘要

A plasma cutting arc is well known as a tool for cutting different metals with high-speed and high-accuracy in industrial fields. An arc plasma with high temperature and high-speed gas flow is established between the electrode in the plasma torch and a work-piece which is molten by high-temperature from the arc plasma and heated by oxidation reactions. The plasma gas flow through the nozzle is usually given with a swirl component. The intensity of swirl can influence the gas flow pattern, the plasma temperature and then the amount of cathode evaporation. This report numerically studied the effect of swirl gas angle on the gas flow, temperature field and the erosion amount of hafnium cathode in the plasma cutting arc torch.