Characteristics of high-power gliding arc plasma reformer for industrial applications

Summary form only given. Recently researchers of Drexel Plasma Institute have developed a 10 kW non thermal plasmatron that can be used as a basic unit for scaling up for industrial applications [1]. The goal of this study is to gain understanding of the processes which are happening during gliding arc existence. For this purpose we employed high speed photo camera “Phantom M310” to obtain information regarding gliding arc formation, propagation and extinction. We present results showing that the life time of a single arc consists of multiple stages which are the moment of breakdown, a few types of reconnections and extinction. Characteristic of the lifetime as a function of flow rate, power, arc thickness and length will be discussed.