Analysis by modeling of plasma flow interactions with liquid injection

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2013-04, Vol.220, p.149-156
• Main Authors: Meillot, E., Damiani, D., Vincent, S., Caruyer, C., Caltagirone, J.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Compressible model; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Droplet breakup; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fluids mechanics; Fragmentation; Liquid jet; Materials science; Mechanics; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Suspension plasma spraying
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2012.11.025

This paper deals with the modeling of different plasma flows interacting with a liquid jet of pure water. Using only fluid mechanic equations, the goal was to simulate and to understand the first moments of these interactions during suspension plasma spraying of nanomaterials. The obtained simulations were then validated by comparing the results with breakup mechanisms described for the same Weber number in a plasma cross-flow with constant temperature. The global model was applied to various suspension plasma spraying conditions: two plasma gas mixtures (Ar/H2 and Ar/He) and two types of liquid injections (train of droplets or continuous jet). These simulations demonstrated different trajectories of the liquid and, consequently, different modes of breakup. Droplet size distributions were also calculated in the global modeling field. ► Analysis of the liquid breakup in different plasma flows ► Validation of the phenomenon modeling by comparison with theory according WEBER number ► Mathematical approach by fluid mechanism equations without analytical laws of fragmentation ► Calculation of droplet number distribution resulting from the breakup in the field of plasma flow downstream