Re: starship-design: plasma sources

["N. Lindberg" <nlindber@u.washington.edu>]

Fred,
	Do you mind if I ask what the application is?  I'm always
interested to hear 'bout other list members' projects.
Best Regards,
Nels Lindberg


On Thu, 19 Aug 1999, Curtis L. Manges wrote:

> The hottest thing I recall seeing was a plasma torch, used to cut
> heavy stainless steel plate. It used three kinds of gas, and I'm not
> positive what they were; I think one was inert (argon most likely) and
> another might have been nitrogen (!). This thing used a large welding
> machine for a power supply, likely pulling from 300 to 600 amps, and
> the welding arc created the plasma. Again, I'm uncertain, but I'd
> guess at nozzle temps above 7000° F. Ceramic nozzle, water-cooled head
> assembly. Call a welding supply shop for details. Oh, and get some
> good ear protectors; these things make a hellish racket. Hope this
> helps you.
> 
> Curtis
> 
> "N. Lindberg" wrote:
> 
> > Fred,
> >         I'm no expert on plasma physics, but here are some ways that
> > immediately spring to mind:
> >         1) Spark gap + RF heating of the air.  Plasmas couple very well to
> > RF, and most of the energy gets turned into heat.
> >         2)High temp combustion + RF.  Sometime, bend a toothpick so that
> > it stands with one end pointing up, light that end, and put it in your
> > microwave. I think they're kind of pretty.  Also, the Oxy-Acetylene
> > reaction is the hottest type of combustion I know of, at a few thousand
> > degrees,  Kind of dangerous stuff though.
> >         3) In general, the more rarified the air, the lower the
> > temperature required for ionization.  Maybe run the air though a throat at
> > high speeed.
> >
> > On Thu, 19 Aug 1999, Fred Reyes wrote:
> >
> > > I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can give me a list of ways to
> > > convert plain ordinary air into plasma.  It does not have to be really high
> > > temperature originally, I can take care of that myself.  However, the power
> > > required to convert air into plasma has to be kept as low as possible.  If
> > > it is not possible to convert regular air, some alternatives would be nice.
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > > Fred Reyes
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> 
>