Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “PLASMA ARC”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Complex structure of the carbon arc discharge for synthesis of nanotubes

Comprehensive non-invasive spectroscopic techniques and electrical measurements of the carbon arc revealed two distinguishable plasma synthesis regions in the radial direction normal to the arc axis. These regions, which are defined as the arc core and the arc periphery, are shown to have very different compositions of carbon species with different densities and temperatures. The colder arc periphery is dominated by carbon diatomic molecules (C 2 ), which are in the minority in the composition of the hot arc core. These differences are due to a highly non-uniform distribution of the arc current, which is mainly conducted through the arc core populated with carbon atoms and ions. Therefore, the ablation of the graphite anode is governed by the arc core, while the formation of carbon molecules occurs in the colder arc periphery. Furthermore, this result is consistent with previous predictions that the plasma environment in the arc periphery is suitable for synthesis of carbon nanotubes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-Fidelity Arc-Discharge Model for Hydrogen-Plasma-Smelting-Reduction of Iron Ore

Electrification and use of renewable hydrogen is currently a necessity for decarbonizing the iron-and-steel industry. In this regard, hydrogen plasma smelting reduction (HPSR) is a novel pathway that is being explored for reduction of iron ore. HPSR provides several decarbonization merits compared to conventional blast furnaces. Firstly, the use of renewable hydrogen drastically reduces the CO2 emissions compared to the use of coke. Secondly, renewable electricity in the form of a thermal plasma for making reactive hydrogen species (radicals, ions) are more efficient at reducing iron ore compared to neutral H2. Thirdly, a molten product compatible with downstream processes is obtained from the intense heat transfer from the plasma. However, the scale-up of this technology requires fundamental exploration of hydrogen plasma dynamics and its interaction with complex solid material that include phase changing iron-ore and slag. In this work, we present a first principles continuum scale model for thermal plasmas in Ar/H2 gas mixtures typically used for HPSR. The thermal plasma governing equations for mass, momentum and energy with Lorentz force and Joule heating source terms are solved along with electromagnetic equations for electrostatic and magnetic vector potential. Our solver will be based on Pele, a suite of reacting flow solvers designed for advanced scientific computing architectures (Henry De Frahan et al., Proceedings of SIAM Parallel Processing, 13-25, 2024), and will utilize adaptive mesh generation for enhanced resolutions at locations of intense physicochemical interactions. This study will present the impact of Ar to H2 ratios on excited/dissociated hydrogen species concentrations, plasma temperature and conductivity along with the impact of outgassed species (water, metal vapor, O, OH radicals) from ore surface on gas phase chemistry. Furthermore, the heat and species flux to the surface will be quantified as a function of applied voltages in a transferred arc configuration.

hydrogen plasma↗
DOE OSTI2021

A digital holography ex situ measurement characterization of plasma-exposed surface erosion from an electrothermal arc source

Digital holography has been proposed to fulfill a need for an imaging diagnostic capable of in situ monitoring of surface erosion caused by plasma–material interaction in nuclear fusion devices. A digital holography diagnostic for 3D surface erosion measurement has been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the goal of deployment on a plasma device. A proof-of-concept in situ demonstration is planned which would involve measurement of plasma erosion on targets exposed to an electrothermal arc source. This work presents the results of an ex situ characterization of the capability and limitations of holographic imaging of targets exposed to the arc source. Targets were designed to provide a fiducial for comparison of deformed and unaffected areas. The results indicated that the average net erosion was ~150 nm/plasma exposure, which is expected to be within the diagnostic’s measurement capacity. Surface roughness averages determined by holographic image analysis showed good agreement with measurements taken with a profilometer. Finally, the limit of the holography diagnostic’s x–y spatial resolution was characterized by comparison with scanning electron microscope imaging.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1992

Solar cell arcing: The role of outgassing and contamination

The effect of outgassing, venting, and thruster firing events on spacecraft system performance has been a long standing issue. Recent laboratory measurements on negatively biased high voltage solar cells at Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) suggest that some currently designed and certainly future space power systems must address/re-evaluate this issue. Our observations show that exposing these cells to moderate levels (10 exp -3 torr-min) of H2O vapor enhances the arcing frequency, while heating to 85 C to remove water vapor significantly reduces the arc frequency. The interaction of the adhesive used to attach the cover glass to the solar cell with ambient water vapor is the key factor in determining arcing rates. Elimination of adhesive exposed to the environmental plasma reduces the arc frequency more than two orders of magnitude, and eliminates any sensitivity to H2O exposure. The adhesive may also become a source of spacecraft contamination. Macroscopic amounts were observed to blow off some arc events, and (we assume) electrostatically precipitate at other negatively biased locations. Data, analysis, and potential impact for future space platforms are discussed.

Marinelli, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Plasma Heating and Flow in an Auroral Arc

We report direct observations of the three-dimensional velocity distribution of selected topside ionospheric ion species in an auroral context between 500 and 550 km altitude. We find heating transverse to the local magnetic field in the core plasma, with significant heating of 0(+), He(+), and H(+), as well as tail heating events that occur independently of the core heating. The 0(+) velocity distribution departs from bi-Maxwellian, at one point exhibiting an apparent ring-like shape. However, these observations are shown to be aliased within the auroral arc by temporal variations that arc not well-resolved by the core plasma instrument. The dc electric field measurements reveal superthermal plasma drifts that are consistent with passage of the payload through a series of vortex structures or a larger scale circularly polarized hydromagnetic wave structure within the auroral arc. The dc electric field also shows that impulsive solitary structures, with a frequency spectrum in the ion cyclotron frequency range, occur in close correlation with the tail heating events. The drift and core heating observations lend support to the idea that core ion heating is driven at low altitudes by rapid convective motions imposed by the magnetosphere. Plasma wave emissions at ion frequencies and parallel heating of the low-energy electron plasma are observed in conjunction with this auroral form; however, the conditions are much more complex than those typically invoked in previous theoretical treatments of superthermal frictional heating. The observed ion heating within the arc clearly exceeds that expected from frictional heating for the light ion species H(+) and He(+), and the core distributions also contain hot transverse tails, indicating an anomalous transverse heat source.

Moore, T. E.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Reverse battery model for anodic arc discharges near atmospheric pressure

In this study, the macroscopic electrical parameters of anodic arc discharges performed with solid carbon and molybdenum anodes are described in terms of an equivalent circuit. The proposed 1D model shows that the plasma volume behaves as a dissipative medium combined with self-generated voltage from the plasma sheaths. We test this model by fitting virtual circuits of resistors and batteries to the measured voltage–current (V–I) characteristics representative of atmospheric arc processes (300 and 500 Torr He), resulting in the identification of two phenomena relevant for arc technology. First, steady DC arc experiments show that a minimal arc voltage (V ≈ 20–30 V) or threshold voltage is necessary to keep the plasma arc on. Second, we prove that pulsed arc discharges excited with rectangular current waveforms (1–5 Hz) are never extinguished but remain ignited during the inactive time of the pulse as long as the aforementioned threshold voltage is maintained. In summary, an atmospheric anodic arc discharge with solid electrodes consumes electrical power as a voltage source opposed to the external voltage supply together with a resistor that accounts for the plasma impedance. This approach permits us to estimate basic plasma parameters from simple electrical diagnostics, as well as to predict how power consumption is distributed within an anodic arc and to understand dynamics of arc plasmas excited by periodic signals.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Conductivity tensor for anisotropic plasma in gyrokinetic theory

Comprehensive non-invasive spectroscopic techniques and electrical measurements of the carbon arc revealed two distinguishable plasma synthesis regions in the radial direction normal to the arc axis. These regions, which are defined as the arc core and the arc periphery, are shown to have very different compositions of carbon species with different densities and temperatures. The colder arc periphery is dominated by carbon diatomic molecules (C-2), which are in the minority in the composition of the hot arc core. These differences are due to a highly non-uniform distribution of the arc current, which is mainly conducted through the arc core populated with carbon atoms and ions. Therefore, the ablation of the graphite anode is governed by the arc core, while the formation of carbon molecules occurs in the colder arc periphery. This result is consistent with previous predictions that the plasma environment in the arc periphery is suitable for synthesis of carbon nanotubes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effects of arc current on the life in burner rig thermal cycling of plasma sprayed ZrOsub2-Ysub2Osub3

An analysis of thermal cycle life data for four sets of eight thermal barrier coated specimens representing arc currents (plasma gun power) of 525, 600, 800, or 950 amps is presented. The ZrO2-8Y2O3/NiCrAlY plasma spray coated Rene 41 rods were thermal cycled to 1040 C in a Mach 0.3-Jet A/air burner flame. The experimental results indicate the existance of a minimum or threshold power level which coating life expectancy is less than 500 cycles. Above the threshold power level, coating life expectancy more than doubles and increases with arc current.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Arcing of negatively biased solar cells in a plasma environment. I - Experimental observations

A variety of experiments have been performed which identify key factors contributing to the arcing of negatively biased high voltage solar cells operating in a low earth orbit plasma environment. These efforts have led to a reduction of greater than a factor of 100 in the arc frequency of a single cells following proper remeditation procedures. Experiments naturally led to and focused on the adhesive/encapsulating that is used to bond the protective cover slip to the solar cell. An image-intensified CCD camera system recorded UV emission from arc events which occurred exclusively along the interfacial edge between the cover slip and the solar cell. Microscopic inspection of this interfacial region showed a bead of encapsulant along this entire edge. Elimination of this encapsulant bead reduced the arc frequency by two orders of magnitude.

Upschulte, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The plasma wave environment of an auroral arc. II - ULF waves on an auroral arc boundary

On March 9, 1978, a sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 2200 LT, made a four-component measurement of a 0.5 Hz hydromagnetic wave as the payload crossed the poleward boundary of a quiet homogeneous auroral arc. An energy flux of about 10 to the -6th W/sq m was observed propagating upward with a left-handed polarization within the arc, and a flux 6 times greater was observed propagating downward with a right-handed polarization on the arc boundary. The waves were identified as shear mode Alfven waves. Various models for the source of the free energy are discussed with the conclusion that the most likely production mechanism was either the electromagnetic or electrostatic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

Gelpi, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The plasma wave environment of an auroral arc. III - VLF hiss

Auroral hiss in the vicinity of a quiet arc is studied by comparing the data obtained from a sounding rocket with predictions of the convective beam amplification (CBA) model of auroral hiss generation. It is concluded that the VLF auroral hiss observed by the payload appears to have been natural in origin. The CBA model produces predicted hiss spectra that are in good agreement with the data. The hiss intensity above the ionosphere was greater equatorward of the arc than within the arc; this pattern appears to be the result of emission geometry and refraction. Hiss intensity was not found to be better correlated with 0.1-0.7 keV fluxes than with more energetic electrons. No evidence is found for a three-wave parametric decay process. The data are consistent with a weak hiss source located at an altitude of 110-120 km.

Bering, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A time-dependent model of polar cap arcs

In the present 2D time-dependent model of polar cap arcs, the electrodynamics of the polar cap arcs are treated self-consistently in the frame of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system. The focus of this work is a description of the features of the spatial structure and temporal evolution of the polar cap arcs. Results indicate that the time constant for the formation of the polar cap arcs is around 10 min; an initial single-arc precipitation pattern associated with a polar cap arc tends to split into multiple precipitation regions, yielding a multiple polar cap arc structure. Strong downward field-aligned currents can develop near the intensive upward field-aligned currents and form a pair structure of the field-aligned current in the polar cap arcs. The model predicts plasma flow crossing the polar cap arcs, but its amplitude is small and its characteristic time scale is much larger than the time constant for the formation of the polar cap arcs. While polar cap arcs are developing, the associated current system tends to become further localized.

Zhu, L.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Boron ion beam generation utilizing lanthanum hexaboride cathodes: Comparison of vacuum arc and planar magnetron glow

Boron ion beams are widely used for semiconductor ion implantation and for surface modification for improving the operating parameters and increasing the lifetime of machine parts and tools. For the latter application, the purity requirements of boron ion beams are not as stringent as for semiconductor technology, and a composite cathode of lanthanum hexaboride may be suitable for the production of boron ions. We have explored the use of two different approaches to boron plasma production: vacuum arc and planar high power impulse magnetron in self-sputtering mode. For the arc discharge, the boron plasma is generated at cathode spots, whereas for the magnetron discharge, the main process is sputtering of cathode material. We present here the results of comparative test experiments for both kinds of discharge, aimed at determining the optimal discharge parameters for maximum yield of boron ions. For both discharges, the extracted ion beam current reaches hundreds of milliamps and the fraction of boron ions in the total extracted ion beam is as high as 80%.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1992

Study of plasma environments for the integrated Space Station electromagnetic analysis system

The final report includes an analysis of various plasma effects on the electromagnetic environment of the Space Station Freedom. Effects of arcing are presented. Concerns of control of arcing by a plasma contactor are highlighted. Generation of waves by contaminant ions are studied and amplitude levels of the waves are estimated. Generation of electromagnetic waves by currents in the structure of the space station, driven by motional EMF, is analyzed and the radiation level is estimated.

Singh, Nagendra↗
DOE OSTI2020

On the expansion of non-ideal copper plasma into vacuum

The expansion of non-ideal copper plasma into vacuum is analyzed for the conditions typical for explosive electron emission in vacuum arcs. The computational model solves the Euler equations with an equation of state (EoS) for weakly non-ideal plasma, taking into account the ionization energy correction due to electron–ion Coulomb coupling. We have ascertained that the EoS has insignificant influence on the plasma expansion while the plasma properties and composition change drastically. Based on our simulation results, we discuss the validity of the “frozen” state theory often used in the vacuum arc plasma diagnostics.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗