The Influence of Vortex Formation on the Electrical Characteristics of Argon Plasma in a Rotating Gliding Arc Discharge

Abstract

Abstract Rotating Gliding Arc (RGA) discharge exhibits the characteristics of non-thermal plasma states when operated at atmospheric pressure with argon (Ar), and this study elucidates its properties. Experimental findings from an alternating current RGA plasma generator reveal a strong dependence of current density, which increases with higher discharge current and gas flow rates (Q). This research investigates the impact of swirling on the electrical properties of argon (Ar) plasma within RGA. The study focuses on two distinct flow conditions: TRANSFLOW at 5 SLPM and HIGH-TURBFLOW at 50 SLPM. The examination incorporates two different swirl hole diameters, namely 1.6 mm and 1 mm, to analyze their influence on the electrical characteristics of the system. Based on these flow regimes different types of discharge i.e., glow and spark are get formed and their characteristics are studied well. High-speed imaging and electrical measurements were employed to acquire insights into the depth of the physics associated with the Ar plasma. Compared to 1.6 mm, V t is higher for 1 mm for both the Q, i.e., for TRANS-FLOW at 5 SLPM and for HIGH TURB-FLOW at 50 SLPM. Finding shows that V t increases from 1.2 ms−1 to 22 ms−1 for 1.6 mm and it increases from 2.5 ms−1 to 40 ms−1 for 1 mm. V t nearly increased twice time when swirl hole diameter decreased from 1.6 mm to 1 mm. The average electric field (E) increases from 8 Vmm−1 to 15 Vmm−1 for 1.6 mm and from 11.8 Vmm−1 to 24 Vmm−1 for 1 mm. The linear fit R² ranges from 0.78 to 0.90.