a limited life of the electrodes for a given power level and torch size has limited the use of torches in commercial applications.
Another important factor is that in most industrial torch applications, the replacement of worn electrodes results in significant lost operating time for the process. Hence, longer lasting electrodes are desirable even with somewhat added cost for such electrodes.
During normal direct current operation on copper electrodes with the upstream electrode being the anode, the life of the upstream electrode may be less than about 100 hours and the life of the downstream electrode may be less than 300 hours. Oxide particles coming from the upstream electrodes tend to cause unstable torch operation. Copper oxide is stable at high temperature. These small particles enter the gap between electrodes, causing periodic short circuits and damage to the gap area. Reversing the polarity does not avoid the problem. Torch operation on alternating current alleviates the gap shorting problem somewhat but the electrode life of the two electrodes is merely made substantially equal at about 200 hours or less.
The objective is to extend electrode life
Plasma torch with extended life electrodes did we succeed in this ?
the long delays seem to suggest we didn t got it completely right and that we are still experimenting .
So are we ready for industrial roll out or not ?
we will find out soon enough .
I hope pyr proves me wrong .