Practical uses of high-durability DC arc plasmatrons

The novel DC arc plasmatrons, with tungsten rod cathodes and nozzle anodes, and ways of their application are described in this article. The initial successful device was a T-plasmatron with a T-form of its gas-flow channels. Its specific anode erosion rate was lowered by four orders of magnitude, as compared with traditional arc plasmatrons. The result of a specific anode design, arranging technological gas and plasma-forming gas interactions, decreased this parameter to 4·10⁻¹⁰ g/C. This plasmatron was used in several technological processes, including cleaning the flow of Diesel engine exhaust, etching, and depositing different materials. After these experiments, the A-plasmatron was created, which had a generally axisymmetric form with a three-times greater ability for technological gas activation as compared with the T-plasmatron. The A-plasmatron was also used in the above-mentioned technological processes and demonstrated higher possibilities for each process. The extremely clean plasma flow of this plasmatron was studied using integral and local plasma diagnostic results, which have indicated its acceptable application for several processes, including the rather effective and interesting biomedical interactions with human wounds, vegetables, white straw crops and their products. (paper)