Numerical simulations of a RF-RF hybrid plasma torch with argon at atmospheric pressure

TL;DR

This paper presents numerical simulations of an RF-RF hybrid plasma torch operating with argon at atmospheric pressure, analyzing how coil excitation and positioning affect plasma parameters and heat transfer.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed numerical model of an RF-RF hybrid plasma torch with variable coil configurations and operating conditions using COMSOL Multiphysics.

Findings

Optimal coil excitation currents identified for stable plasma operation

Radial temperature profiles vary with coil distance and power

Heat transfer mechanisms depend on coil configuration and plasma parameters

Abstract

We report numerical results regarding the minimum sustaining coil excitation current for a RF-RF hybrid torch operating at two different frequencies. The first coil is excited at a high-frequency, while the second coil is set at a medium frequency. The filling gas is argon, at atmospheric pressure. We use the modeling software COMSOL Multiphysics to describe the evolution of key parameters when: (i) the distance between the two coils changes, (ii) the power of the high frequency coil changes. We discuss the radial temperature profiles, the axial velocities and the heat convected at the end of the medium-frequency coil. The latter is compared with the total heat conduction to the plasma confinement tube wall.