Numerical Modeling of Nano Powder Synthesis Using an RF Plasma Torch

The reaction mechanisms are presented in this talk using a computer simulation to understand the process mechanism of the synthesis of metal nanoparticles using a thermal plasma torch. The inductively coupled RF thermal plasma system is simulated with a two-dimensional fluid simulation code, DCPTUN ¹ . In addition, a combined simulation method is explained for how to merge the Lagrangian scheme for microparticles and a nodal method for nanoparticles. The Lagrangian scheme includes the Coulomb force which affects the dynamics of larger particles. In contrast, the nodal method treats the nanoparticles for which the charge effect is negligible. As the number of nanoparticles is much larger than that of microparticles, the nodal method is also beneficial to reduce the computational time. This method helps understand the particle dynamics and the growth mechanism of microparticle and nanoparticle mixture observed in the experiment. The simulation results explain the experimental results well ² . The roles of evaporation, concentration, drag force, and the Coulomb force are measured quantitatively.