The effect of the plasma composition on characteristics of the d.c. arc—IV: Influence of lithium on an arc in nitrogen

Abstract

The radial temperature distribution of the arc burning in nitrogen was measured when a large quantity of Li2CO3 evaporates in the arc. In comparison to the radial temperature distribution of the arc burning in nitrogen alone, a smaller temperature gradient was obtained. This can be interpreted by taking the variation of the electron density into account when solving the Elenbaas-Heller equation for the plasma energy balance.