CONTROL OF POWER SUPPLIED TO A PLASMA TORCH TO COMPENSATE FOR CHANGES AT AN ELECTRODE

摘要

A method and apparatus for maintaining power output by a power supply configured to supply power to a plasma torch in a gas treatment system within a predetermined power limit and a gas treatment system are disclosed. The method comprises: periodically receiving at least one input signal indicative of a current power output by the power supply; in response to the at least one input signal indicating the power output has passed a predetermined value adjusting the power output such that the power output is within the predetermined power limit; the step of adjusting the power output comprising: outputting a control signal to change a flow rate of a source gas supplied to the plasma torch where the change would maintain a source gas flow rate within predetermined gas flow limits; and where the change would not maintain the source gas flow rate within the predetermined gas flow limits, outputting a control signal to change one of a current or voltage output by the power supply unit.