Simulation of Arc Motion in Air Switching Devices Taking Ferromagnetic Material into Accout

FLUENT and ANSYS codes are used to solve the magnethydrodynamics (MHD) equations and electromagnetic field equations, respectively. An interface code is developed to implement the bi-direction transfer of calculation data between FLUENT and ANSYS. Then a 2-D MHD arc model is built up with the consideration of the nonlinear ferromagnetic material. The arc shape, gas flow velocity and magnetic field distribution are presented at a current of 200 A. The influence of the number of splitter plates on arc motion is also analyzed. (fusion engineering)