TURBULENCE IN INDUCTION PLASMA MODELING

This paper describes a k-epsilon turbulent model with two-dimensional representation of electromagnetic fields for the simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer in an induction plasma. A comparative analysis is made with an earlier study using one-dimensional electromagnetic fields representation. The results reveal the simultaneous presence of both laminar and turbulent flow regimes in the discharge. The present model was found to cope well with such variations in the local laminar/turbulent diffusivity and could be used to predict the details of the flow and temperature fields in the discharge under predominantly laminar (low Reynolds number) or turbulent (high Reynolds number) conditions.