Numerical simulation was conducted to clarify the electromagnetic thermofluid fields of a particle-laden compressible plasma flow in a complex configuration, as well as the characteristics of the injected fine particles in the plasma flow. The effects of an applied radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic field, particle size and particle material on in-flight particle characteristics were clarified by use of a numerical model which took plasma compressibility and variable transport properties into consideration. Particle velocity was found to be strongly influenced by particle diameter. The heating rate of the Ni particle was the highest due to its lowest latent heat of melting. It was possible to efficiently control particle temperature by heating of the plasma flow with an RF electromagnetic field applied to the nozzle. Finally, particle phase condition was drawn in terms of the injection velocity and particle diameter for optimization of particle properties. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.