Powder processing in a plasma jet: A proposed model

A theoretical study is reported on the use of d.c. and r.f. plasma jets as chemical reactors for the processing of minerals in the form of a fine powder. The temperature and flow fields of the jet are calculated by solving the integral boundary layer equations. Single particles trajectories are obtained by solving the Basset‐Odar equations. A multi‐particle model is then developed for a feed of known particle size and injection velocity distributions under low loading conditions. Calculators are made on the thermal decomposition of molybdenum disulphide (5 to 30‐micron equivalent diameter). The parameters investigated are the free jet velocity, the mean injection velocity, and the reactor ambient conditions. The results are presented as the probability density distributions of the gas loading, particle temperature, and conversion at different levels downstream of the nozzle.