Abstract
The numerical forecast constitutes an interesting way for plasma spraying to minimize the number of experiments to achieved the optimum spraying conditions. Many computational codes have been developed to predict the properties of the plasma jet (velocity, temperature) and the particles behavior within (temperature, velocity, melting state). According to the particle injection orthogonally to the plasma jet, the models have to be 3D. However, such codes need several hours if not several days of calculations to obtain the results of one condition. This is the main drawback of the existing sophisticated codes. The computing time is not compatible with industrial needs. Various clever numerical methods were developed in the past to simulate 2-D parabolic gas flows for laminar boundary layers or jets. For example, the Genmix 2-D axi-symmetric algorithm developed by Spalding and Patankar, and known as the Bikini method requires a very low-cost memory and computing time. This algorithm makes it possible, when using the proper thermodynamics and transport properties of plasma gases and the whole equation of Boussinesq-Oseen-Basset and taking into account the thermophoresis and non continuity effect for small particle, to predict in a fast and rather realistic way, the velocity and temperature fields of the plasma jet.
