README

A simple set of tools for doing calculations of thermal plasma compositions relevant to metallurgical problems using Python 3.

Quinn Reynolds, MINTEK Pyrometallurgy Division, November 2018

What is this repository for?

• You’re here because you want to calculate LTE plasma compositions, thermodynamics, and physical and radiative properties. Some day this tool might be able to do all that, but for now you can use scraped content from the very nifty NIST internet databases, convert it to a pretty storage format, and run plasma composition and thermodynamic calculations using it.
• Version 0.x alpha

How do I get set up?

• Getting started: Clone the repo. You’ll get the module (minplascalc.py) and some test drivers.
• Configuration: You should be OK with pip install -r requirements.txt
• Dependencies: You will need an implementation of Python 3, and relatively recent versions of numpy and scipy. You need pytest to run the tests.
• How to run tests: simply run pytest in the root directory.

Contribution guidelines

• Writing tests: It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
• Code review: It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
• Other guidelines: It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

Who do I talk to?

• Admin, Science, Chief Pizza Officer: quinnr@mintek.co.za
• Support, Metallurgy, Chief Caffeine Officer: markuse@mintek.co.za
• Python, Code, Chief Beer Officer: carl.sandrock@gmail.com

References

• Thermal Plasmas: Fundamentals and Applications Volume 1. Boulos, M.I., Fauchais, P., and Pfender, E., Plenum Press, New York NY, 1994
• The Mathematical Theory of Non-Uniform Gases 3^ed. Chapman, S. and Cowling, T.G., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1970
• Lowering of Ionization Potentials in Plasmas. Stewart J.C. and Pyatt Jr, K.D., The Astrophysical Journal, 144, 1966, p 1203
• Calculation of Electrical and Thermal Conductivities of Metallurgical Plasmas. Dunn, G.J. and Eagar, T.W., Welding Research Council, Bulletin 357, 1990
• Transport Properties of Ionized Monatomic Gases. Devoto, R.S., The Physics of Fluids, 9(6), 1966, p 1230
• NIST Atomic Spectra Database (ver. 5.3), [Online]. Kramida, A., Ralchenko, Yu., Reader, J., and NIST ASD Team, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD, http://physics.nist.gov/asd
• NIST Chemistry WebBook, NIST Standard Reference Database Number 69. Linstrom, P.J. and Mallard, W.G. (ed), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD, http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/