A method for the solution of the mass transport equation in a free burning d.c. arc

Abstract

A method is developed for the solution of a general form of the mass transport equation for a free burning d.c. arc. The spatial particle density distribution function is represented in form of a linear combination of appropriate basis functions in which the expansion coefficients are calculated using the variation principle. The method allows calculation of particle distribution at various levels of approximation, and also includes cases in which both radial and axial dependences of the diffusion coefficient as well as the directed transport velocity are taken into account. The results of some simple test calculations are presented. © 1984.