Influence of resonance radiation transport on chemical equilibrium in an argon arc

Abstract

Deviations from chemical equilibrium in argon arc plasma are analysed by means of collisional-radiative model. Corresponding comprehensive kinetic scheme has been developed and applied form study of free-burning arc at the conditions typical for welding applications. While the natural lifetime have been used for radiation emitted from highly excited argon states, the resonance radiation was described taking into account the radiation transport effects. Resulting spatial distributions of excited argon atoms are compared for the cases of LTE and two-temperature plasma using different approaches for the description of the resonance radiation transport.