Modeling and experimental validation of a 1.2 MW DC transferred well-type plasma torch

This paper discusses the numerical modeling and experimental validation of a 1.2 MW DC transferred plasma torch, which is equipped with a well-type cathode (WTC). In order to investigate the complicated thermal and flow characteristics due to the interaction between the working gas and electric arc, the flow filed inside the plasma torch is modeled by the magnetic–hydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The governing equations are solved numerically using a finite volume discretization for both cold and hot flow simulations. The numerical simulations are then validated by experimental measurements at a specific operation condition. The predicted results successfully reflect some important features of the studied transferred WTC plasma torch.