Heat transfer to a stationary sphere in a plasma flame

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Abstract
The overall heat transfer rates to stationary spheres of highly‐polished molybdenum (2 to 5.6 mm in diameter) in a confined argon plasma jet were experimentally measured. The effects of large temperature differences and large variations of the fluid property on the heat transfer process are investigated. The sphere Reynolds number range between 10 and 80, and the sphere temperature between 1,200 K and 2,400 K, with temperature differences between the gas and the sphere in excess of 2,000 K. These conditions are within the range commonly encountered in industrial plasma processing. The experimental values of the heat transfer coefficients are in reasonably good agreement with the predictions of a theoretical analysis of variable‐property flow and heat transfer previously reported by the authors.