Equilibrium plasma composition in U-shaped DC argon-stabilized arc

Abstract

The calculation of the equilibrium plasma composition of a U-shaped argon-stabilized dc arc burning at 1 bar is given. The calculation procedure, based on the minimization of Gibbs free energy, was applied in the temperature range 1000–9000 K, assuming a state of local thermodynamic equilibrium. The results obtained were compared with experimentally determined values of plasma parameters (temperature, electron density) and spectral line intensities, with consideration of the local thermodynamic equilibrium state in this arc source.