Plasma Torches

Non-Transferred Arc Technology

EUROPLASMA non-transferred arc plasma torch technology was first developed in the 80’s by EADS-LV (ex-AEROSPATIALE, French national aerospace company) to simulate the intense heat encountered by missiles and spacecraft during atmospheric re-entry. 

EUROPLASMA's plasma technology consists of two tubular metal electrodes connected to a swirling gas injection chamber. Test sessions have shown that the torch can be fed with almost any gas mixture (air, Ar, CO, helium, CO2, H2, N2, CH4, O2).

Arc ignition is obtained through short-circuit. The resulting plasma plume temperature is typically around 4000 °K, while its mean enthalpy is in the range of 5 MJ/kg air to 8 MJ/kg air. To increase electrode lifetime, a time-varying magnetic field controls the upstream arc root motion, while gas injection naturally controls the downstream one. Electrodes and injection chamber are cooled by pressurised de-ionised water.

Dissecting the non-transferred arc plasma torch


From the process standpoint, non-transferred plasma technology offers significant advantages:

• high thermal efficiency,
• flexibility regarding the choice of gas to ionise,
• rapidity and flexibility to start and stop the system automatically whenever necessary,
• total independence for plasma generation between torch and furnace, which makes for very easy operating conditions,
• less vaporisation due to the absence of a “hot spot”, the arc root attachment to the slag,
• operating flexibility: 25 to 100% of the power range,
• built-in safety device.