7th International Conference on Electric Power Equipment– Switching Technology (ICEPE 2024)

125 / 2024-04-14 09:56:48

Optimization of C1 parameter in arc plasma turbulence simulation: based on energy balance and turbulence characteristics

Circuit breaker; k-ε Turbulence model; Arc behavior

Arc in circuit breakers is a common and important phenomenon in the power system, and its characteristics play a crucial role in the safety and stability of electrical equipment. However, the high temperature, high-speed airflow, and instability of the arc make its simulation more complex. Turbulence is one of the main characteristics of arc behavior, the k-ε turbulence model, as a kind of the classic turbulence model, is widely used in the field of engineering simulation. In this model, the C₁ parameter directly affects the model's description of turbulent energy transfer, so its selection is crucial for the accuracy of simulation results. This article is based on the analysis of standard k- ε turbulence models and focuses on the key role of the C₁ parameter in the turbulence dissipation rate equation. Starting from energy transfer balance and turbulence characteristics, the influence of the C₁ parameter on the turbulence characteristics of arc plasma is deeply studied. This article comprehensively considers the complexity of turbulent structures and the intensity of energy conversion and derives the C₁ parameter setting criteria in arc plasma simulation. To verify the proposed C₁ parameter setting criteria, different C₁ values were selected in Chapter 3. Arcing simulation tests were conducted under the conditions of 80kA current, the time constant of 120ms (T100a), and C₁ values of 1.1, 1.44, and 1.6, respectively. Comparing the simulation results, further confirms the influence of the selected C₁ parameter on the turbulence characteristics of arc plasma, thereby providing a more accurate turbulence simulation method and deepening the understanding of arc behavior under high current conditions. This study provides valuable references for the reliability and stability of power systems.