The effect of flame temperature, nozzle position and swirl gas on microwave plasma flame

Abstract

In this study, a microwave plasma generator was used to develop a plasma flame. The effects of microwave plasma on flame temperature, nozzle position and swirl gas were investigated. A microwave generator with 1kW power was used to generate a single mode microwave in the wave guide and passes through a flame burner. The study show that the flame temperature increased when the microwave power was increased. This is due to absorption of energy from the microwave. The optimum position of the quartz nozzle when generating plasma was located one quarter of wavelength away from the end of the waveguide. This was the optimum location of the nozzle because the intensity of electric field was the strongest at this point. The vertical position of the quartz nozzle does not affect the plasma formation. Compressed air was used as swirl gas to create a swirling effect that stabilized the plasma flame. The swirl gas does not shield the quartz reactor from the flame but enlarging the size of the flame. This is due to swirl gas which contains oxygen acts as oxidant which supplies oxygen to the combustion process. © 2014 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved.