Abstract
A particle laden flow in an HVOF torch is analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The torch is similar to the DJ Metco torch with a converging-diverging (de Laval) nozzle, where particles are injected through the center together with nitrogen as a carrier gas. The Eulerian formulation is used for the gas flow whereas the particle motion is described by using the Lagrangian formulation. The flow turbulence is modeled via k-e model with standard wall functions. For modeling the combustion process in the torch, a multi-reaction Eddy-Dissipation Model (EDM) is employed. The computational domain comprised the torch itself and the region outside the torch where our attention is mainly focused. The computations are performed for the torch with and without the gas shroud attachment. The results showed that the presence of the shroud affected to some degree the flow and temperature fields of the main gas and the particle stream, while at the same time, significantly reducing the entrainment of ambient air into the main stream as shown by the lower oxygen concentrations. The results of the numerical computations are compared with experimental results for the same operating conditions and the agreement is found to be good.
