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Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure Uncooled

Plasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks

Section 5.0: Lab Equipment and Setup

The following section describes the equipment and arrangement used in the

Virginia Tech Plasma Torch Lab to conduct tests with a plasma torch using hydrocarbon

feedstocks. The lab setup can be divided into four sections: flow system, data

acquisition, power supply and safety equipment. A schematic diagram of the setup is

shown in Appendix A. Although the arrangement of the lab varied throughout the testing

process, the setup described below is considered to be the norm. Any deviation from this

setup will be listed and explained for each test sequence, if applicable.

5.1: The Flow System

The flow system is responsible for delivering the feedstock to the plasma torch at

the correct flowrate. It consists of the gas storage cylinders (argon, ethylene, propylene

and methane), dual-stage regulators, tubing and fittings, two mass flow meters, a dual-

channel flow controller and the torch itself.

Four gases were used to test the plasma torch operation: argon, ethylene, methane

and to a limited extent, propylene. The gases were stored in high-pressure gas cylinders

provided by a local vendor. Flow pressure was controlled by Victor dual-stage

regulators, one of which is shown in Fig. 5.1. The regulators allow the flow pressure to

be adjusted from 0-3.5 MPa. The pressure was generally set at 690-825 kPa. The

regulators were custom designed for the gases listed above.

Figure 5.1: Victor® Hydrocarbon Regulator

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Summary of Contents

Page 1 - 5.1: The Flow System

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks43Section 5.0: Lab Equipment and SetupThe following section des

Page 2

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks52From this point, the feedstock was set and run at the desired

Page 3

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks44All tubing in the flow system was made from 0.635cm (0.25in)

Page 4

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks45Figure 5.2: Mass Flow MetersA 902C Dual-Channel Flow Controll

Page 5

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks46be used to send signals to the data acquisition system. Thes

Page 6 - 5.3: The Power System

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks47Figure 5.4: Data Acquisition HardwareThe Burle PMT (highlight

Page 7

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks48Figure 5.6: Spectrometer ControlsFrom left to right, there is

Page 8 - 5.4: Safety Equipment

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks49Two of the four welding units are shown in Fig. 5.7. Each one

Page 9 - 5.5: Plasma Torch Setup

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks50Figure 5.8: High Frequency Starter Box5.4: Safety EquipmentWh

Page 10

Gallimore Operation of a High-Pressure UncooledPlasma Torch with Hydrocarbon Feedstocks51Figure 5.9: Plasma Torch in Test Cell5.5: Plasma Torch SetupU