The Influence of Plasma Jet Turbulence Degree on the Plasma Spraying Efficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2026-9-87-94Keywords:
plasma, plasma torch, power supply, plasma flow, laminar flow, turbulent flow, pulse-width modulation (PWM), pulse-frequency modulation (PFM)Abstract
The article presents a series of full-scale experiments aimed at studying the influence of the plasma flow motion pattern on heat transfer during the plasma spraying process. A modernization of the plasma torch power supply circuit is introduced, enabling independent control of flow characteristics through pulse-width and pulse-frequency modulation. Issues related to achieving more stable and safe controller operation, including the power switch protection against transients, as well as the implementation of a microcontroller-based control system supporting both controlled and random pulse-width modulation, are considered. The influence of variations in the plasma flow turbulence degree on the characteristics of its heat transfer to finely dispersed metallic powder material is investigated. Measurements of the plasma spraying process output characteristics at varying levels of plasma flow turbulence are carried out. Oscillograms of the voltage in the switching element branch used to implement the required adjustment are presented. The results obtained during the experiments address the previously unexplored aspects of the research framework implemented earlier, supplement the conclusions, and eliminate shortcomings of general methodological approaches. The analysis of experimental data demonstrates an improvement in heat transfer efficiency during plasma spraying when operated in the laminar-turbulent transition mode and confirms the prospects of applying various methods of plasma flow turbulence control for the improvement of industrial equipment.
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