Temperature, Velocity, and Species Mapping in an Induction Plasma

摘要

As part of an effort to determine the feasibility of carbothermic reduction of alumina in plasmas, spatial distributions of temperature, velocity and species in the plume of an argon radio-frequency plasma with alumina and carbon additions were estimated using a two-dimensional theoretical model of the flow field and a thermochemical model based on equilibrium conditions. Experimentally determined boundary conditions were input to the models. Using a 30 kW inductively coupled plasma, experimental measurements were made to allow comparison with predictions. A practical process for carbothermic reduction will require prevention of back reactions, either by separation of the aluminum species or by some kind of quenching of the process. The significance of the experimental results and comparisons with predictions are discussed. (ERA citation 10:010065)