Discharge channel displacement simulation in AC arc

Results of 3-D of discharge channel displacement simulation, acquired by means of the Fluent program during one current half-period of AC arc, indicate that the obtained images of the phenomenon are qualitatively similar to those, recorded with a high-speed digital camera, while the computer simulation enables much a more comprehensive analysis of the acquired data. In addition to selected arc simulation frames and corresponding distributions of mass velocity vectors and current density vectors on a plane, the distributions of temperature, current density and mass velocity values are presented on the axis of the electrode arrangement model. The composite motion (continuous and jumping) of discharge channels was analyzed, taking into account mass displacement and matter state changes.