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0
{\displaystyle \mu _{0}}
is permeability constant
4
10
7
Wb/A.m
{\displaystyle 4\pi \,10^{-7}\,{\textrm {Wb/A.m}}}
,
I c {\displaystyle I_{c}}
is the coil current,
N {\displaystyle N}
is the number of coil turns per unit length, and
r
0
{\displaystyle r_{0}}
is the mean radius of the coil turns.
According to Faradays Law, a variation in magnetic field flux will induce a voltage, or
electromagnetic force:
E=N(B/t)
(
2
) {\displaystyle E=-N(\Delta \phi _{B}/\Delta t)\quad (2)}
where,
N {\displaystyle N}
is the number of coil turns, and the item in parenthesis is the rate at which the flux is changing.
The plasma is conductive (assuming a plasma already exists in the torch). This electromagnetic
force, E, will in turn drive a current of density j in closed loops. The situation is much similar to
heating a metal rod in the induction coil: energy transferred to the plasma is dissipated via Joule
2
heating, j R, from Ohms Law, where R is the resistance of plasma.
Since the plasma has a relatively high electrical conductivity, it is difficult for the alternating
magnetic field to penetrate it, especially at very high frequencies. This phenomenon is usually
described as the skin effect. The intuitive scenario is that the induced currents surrounding each
magnetic line counteract each other, so that a net induced current is concentrated only near the
periphery of plasma. It means the hottest part of plasma is off-axis. Therefore, the induction
plasma is something like an annular shell. Observing on the axis of plasma, it looks like a bright
bagel.
H2
0.069
4.59
13.69
3.736
N2
0.967
9.76
14.53
1.675
O2
1.105
5.17
13.62
1.370
Air 1.000
n.a.
n.a.
1.709
In practice, the selection of plasma gases in an induction plasma processing is first determined by
the processing chemistry, i.e., if the processing requiring a reductive or oxidative, or other
environment. Then suitable second gas may be selected and added to argon, so as to get a
better heat transfer between plasma and the materials to treat. Ar-He, Ar-H2, Ar-N2, Ar-O2, Air,
etc. mixture are very commonly used induction plasmas. Since the energy dissipation in the
discharge takes places essentially in the outer annular shell of plasma, the second gas is usually
introduced along with the sheath gas line, rather than the central gas line.
The industrial application of induction plasma technology[edit]
Following the evolution of the induction plasma technology in laboratory, the major advantages of
the induction plasma have been distinguished:
Without the erosion and contamination concern of electrode, due to the different plasma
generation mechanism compared with other plasma method, for example, direct current
non-transfer arc (dc) plasma.
The possibility of the axial feeding of precursors, being solid powders, or suspensions, liquids.
This feature overcomes the difficulty of exposing materials to the high temperature of
plasma, from the high viscosity of high temperature of plasma.
Because of non electrode problem, a wide versatile chemistry selection is possible, i.e., the
torch could work in either reductive, or, oxidative, even corrosive conditions. With this
capability, induction plasma torch often works as not only a high temperature, high
enthalpy heat source, but also chemical reaction vessels.
Relatively long residence time of precursor in the plasma plume (several milliseconds up to
hundreds milliseconds), compared with dc plasma.
Relatively large plasma volume.
These features of induction plasma technology, has found niche applications in industrial scale
operation in the last decade. The successful industrial application of induction plasma process
depends largely on many fundamental engineering supports. For example, the industrial plasma
torch design, which allows high power level (50 to 600 kW) and long duration (three shifts of 8
hours/day) of plasma processing. Another example is the powder feeders that convey large
quantity of solid precursor (1 to 30 kg/h) with reliable and precise delivery performance.
Nowadays, we have been in a position to be able to numerate many examples of the industrial
applications of induction plasma technology, such as, powder spheroidisation, nanosized
[6][7]
powders synthesis, induction plasma spraying, waste treatments, etc.,
However, the most
impressive success of induction plasma technology is doubtless in the fields of spheroidisation
and nano-materials synthesis.
[8]
Powder spheroidisation [edit]
The flaky interlocking rhenium powders become dense separate spheres after the induction