Electric Arc Plasma Unit with Controlled Electric Arc for Surface Treatment of Metal Products

The design of an electric arc plasma unit with a cylindrical hollow working chamber and controlled electric arc producing low-temperature plasma, which can be used for surface treatment of metal products, is considered. The design of a regulated power supply of the electric arc part of the installation with a capacitor matching circuit and a pulse control unit of the electric arc current is proposed. The arc current continuity is ensured when regulating the power released in the electric arc. The amount of plasma produced is regulated by simultaneously changing the current in the arc and the flow of plasma-forming gas supplied to the arc burning area. The arc position is stabilized by creating an external electromagnetic field. An experimental electric arc plasma unit with a cylindrical working chamber and consumable graphite electrodes was created. The correlation between the power of the main elements of the unit is determined experimentally. The results of the study of processes occurring during electromagnetic arc drawing and plasma production are presented.