Reduction of Selected Metal Oxides in a Thermal Plasma Produced by a Nontransferred ARC Torch

ABSTRACTPlasma flow field temperatures are determined in a nontransferred arc plasma using emission spectroscopy. This technique is then utilized to identify thermal decomposition and reduction products produced in the plasma plume when metal oxide particles are injected into the plasma arc. The processed particles are then studied using AAS, SEM, EDS and XRD to characterize the chemical changes that have occurred in the particles. A Fourier transform method is used to study changes in particle morphology.