THERMAL AND GEOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A PLASMA TORCH: A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT VARIATION

Ahmad Fati’in (Universitas Sains Al-Quran)
Sunaryo (Universitas Sains Al-Qur'an)
Heru Nugroho (Universitas Sains Al-Quran)

Clean Energy and Smart Technology
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): October

Plasma gasification is a technology that utilizes high plasma energy to convert organic and inorganic materials into syngas. In hot plasma gasification, a plasma torch heats and decomposes waste into synthetic gas (syngas). This study is expected to improve understanding of efficient and effective plasma gasification operating parameters. The experimental method in this study uses variations of DC electric currents of 30 A, 40 A, 50 A, and 60 A, with three replicates conducted for each experimental condition at a constant operating pressure of 5 bar and a gas flow rate of 21 L/min. The highest arc length and temperature were obtained at 60A with argon as the plasma gas (20 mm, 563.67ºC) and with air as the plasma gas (25 mm, 215ºC). Electric current and plasma gas type can affect the efficiency of gasification using a plasma torch; higher electric current increases arc length and temperature. Air can be used as a plasma gas alternative to other plasma gases. This research can serve as a reference for developing gasification technology using a plasma torch.