ELECTRODE FOR PLASMA GENERATOR THE GENERATOR COMPRISING SAME AND PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF SOLIDIFYING LIQUID METAL

摘要

A main electrode for plasma arc generator, a generator comprising same and a process for treatment of solidifying liquid metal by the mentioned generator, wherein the main electrode in association with a counter electrode provides a two-rail structure capable of generating a plasma arc discharge displaceable along a closed path uninterruptedly. The uninterrupted movement of the arc discharge is achieved by a specific design of the main electrode. The electrode comprises an essentially tubular body having a first rim usually connected to a d.c. power source via at least one connector site, and a second, working rim serving for the electric arc discharge. The tubular body is divided by at least one slot (gap) associated with one connector site and extending between the first and second rims so that it forms at the second rim region a second rim gap. Two sides of the second rim gap are an arc transmitting and an arc receiving zones, respectively. Mutual positions of these two zones and the associated connector site are such, that when the arc column is created and displaces along the second rim, it will always be transmitted from the transmitting zone to the receiving zone at a location positioned downstream from the projection of the associated connector site to the second rim (in respect of the direction of the plasma arc movement). Owing to this arrangement the arc column will cross the second rim gaps uninterruptedly.