Some perspectives on the modeling of plasma jets

A mathematical representation is developed describing the temperature and the velocity profiles and mixing in a plasma jet discharging into ambient air. In the model, realistic allowance is made for turbulent behavior, the temperature-dependent property values, and also for the boundary conditions, including entrainment. The more precise definition of the boundary conditions, mixing, and entrainment are thought to be important novel features of this work. The theoretical predictions were found to be in good agreement with measurements reported by Vardelle regarding the behavior of a nitrogen plasma, but the agreement was less satisfactory for an argon plasma jet. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed.