Thanks to a new design contributed by a research team led by Prof. ZHAO Peng from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the operating time of the plasma torch has been extended from several days to several years.
"We have made the world's longest-lasting plasma torch," said Prof. ZHAO.
Plasma torches, devices that generate thermal plasma, are crucial in various industries due to their ability to efficiently produce high-temperature plasma. It can be applied in many fields, including low-carbon metallurgy, powder spheroidization, and carbon material preparation. However, their limited lifetime has hindered their large-scale application. The conventional fixed cathodes require replacement when depleted, resulting in short lifespans and high maintenance costs.
In this study, the researchers developed a continuously fed cathode system that allows for rapid replacement of worn cathodes. This operation eliminates the lifetime limitation and provides nearly unlimited operational life of the plasma flame.
"The design overcomes five major hurdles," said Senior Engineer LI Jun, who supervised the 160-hour experiment, "including conductivity, thermal conductivity, sealing, water cooling, and continuous propulsion mechanism."
"As for the conventional plasma flame, 160 hours is the end, but here it's just the beginning," he added.
This significant advancement is driving the industrialization of plasma applications and ushering in a new era of efficiency and sustainability.
Recently, EAST team fabricated full-scaled Vacuum Vessel (VV) sector for China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) and developed key technologies in the manufacturing process of VV. This research was conducted by researchers led by Prof. WU Jiefeng from the Institute ...
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