Numerical analysis of the characteristics of an arc in laminar and turbulent gas flows

The equations of magnetic gas dynamics are used to calculate the characteristics of an electric arc in a plasmotron channel versus the gas flow rate. The results obtained with the aid of the laminar and the two-parameter $k$–$\varepsilon$ model of turbulence with allowance for deviations from equilibrium in the plasma and for the swirling of the gas are compared with experimental data. The stability of a laminar flow to the effect of weak hydrodynamic perturbations is investigated.