Modeling of the Structure of Plasma Flows in Three-Jet Electric-Arc Reactors

A three-dimensional model of plasma jet mixing is used to numerically investigate the gasdynamic and thermal structure of plasma flows in three-jet mixing chambers of several types and in cylindrical reactors with such chambers. It is found that cylindrical mixing chambers with the base diameters ranging from $5$ to $10$ cm and the anode nozzle diameters of plasma torches of $1$–$2$ cm provide for the intensive mixing of jets and for the formation of fairly uniform temperature and velocity fields in the channels of plasma reactors. The gasdynamic features of the mixing of plasma jets in conical chambers are revealed; in particular, the possibility is demonstrated of the emergence of return flows at the outlet from conical chambers with apex angles of $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, and $60^{\circ}$ and the base diameter of $10$ cm.