CORRELATION ANALYSIS TOGETHER WITH VORTEX GEOMETRY, TWO METHODS FOR TRACING STRUCTURES IN PLASMA HEAT FLOWS, Part I: Theoretical review and experimental results

摘要

The aim of the paper is to compare the changes in dynamics of a free plasma flow consequent upon inherence of a wall barrier, considering different flow rates and different energy inputs. The determination of the velocity of macroscopic structures in a free plasma flow is achieved using both the correlation analysis and the testing procedures based on differential geometry. The obtained results indicate that the self-organization of the vortex structures is prompted by quasi-periodic changes of the anisotropy of heat distribution, given by the product of the enthalpy and velocity of the plasma flow. The enthalpy is represented by the intensity of radiation in the central region of the jet, which allows for the reconstruction of the heat flow. Four flow rates (20, 40, 50, 80slm) and two values of electric power inputs (150 A and 200 A) are considered for analysing two configurations of the flow-the flow against a barrier wall, and a free plasma flow.