A Numerical Investigation of the Thermal Transport Properties of Argon + Hydrogen Plasma Working Gases in the Presence of Various TiO2 Precursor Solutions

We reported a numerical investigation of the thermal transport properties of argon (Ar) + hydrogen (H2) plasma working gases such as the dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity under the presence of various titania (TiO2) precursors. Titanium nitride (TiN), titanium isopropoxide (TIP), and titanium butoxide (TB) mixed with water or ethanol having molar concentrations of 0.5M, 0.75M, and 1M were used. Results showed that the dynamic viscosity value of the plasma jet was decreased by the presence of TB and TIP precursor solution, notably for high concentration and feed rate, indicating a decrease in the momentum of particles inside the plasma jet. On the other hand, the thermal conductivity increased when TB and TIP solutions were injected and were influenced by the solution concentration and feed rate. This was attributed to the additional hydrogen ions from TIP and TB precursors, which are absent in the TiN precursor, that increase the number of mobile atomic species. From these transport properties, the modified ability of heating factor of Ar+H2 plasma was calculated. The highest values were obtained for the compositions, including the TB precursor solution, which is 2 to 3.5 times higher than pure Ar+H2 plasma working gases.