Numerical simulation for the formation of nanoparticles through vapor condensation in a reactor

¹ Department of Chemical, Metallurgical, and Material Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183
² Plasma Technologies and High-Temperature Chemistry. The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Ltd, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: alexwatano@gmail.com

Abstract

The thermal plasma process is a highly efficient industrial method with many benefits. It works at high temperatures to make sure particles reach their vaporization point.. This numerical study, conducted using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent 2025R1, is significant as it aims to synthesize titanium alloy particles through condensation from the vapor phase, ultimately leading to the formation of nanoparticles. The study found that nucleation is affected by changes in plasma temperature. This, in turn, decreases the supersaturation ratio. It also emphasizes the need for careful control in the reactor environment to obtain a steady particle size distribution.