Development of plasma jet torch for decommissioning

The Plasma jet torch to cut both metal and non metal has been developed, as the cutting technique for the decommissioning of nuclear fuel cycle facilities. 'The plasma fluid analysis code' was developed to make clear the physical behavior of plasma fluid to influence the electromagnetic field, material constant of neuter gas, flow rate and fluid velocity, shape of torch nozzle such as. This code is applied for the design of smaller size plasma jet torch which has high endurance and cutting ability. The plasma fluid was analyzed by this code to investigate the influence of nozzle shape on the plasma. The most suitable nozzle shape of plasma jet torch was designed as the results of numerical analysis. The plasma jet torch of which practicality was confirmed by experiment was made according to this design. The cutting ability and endurance of this plasma jet torch were enough. (author)