Experimental study on physical characteristics of dielectric-boosted gliding arc discharge

Abstract

Abstract To augment the plasma processing capability, and obtain an enhanced plasma area, a dielectric-boosted gliding arc discharge (DBGAD) reactor was developed. The electrical, gliding arc motion and energy injection characteristics of the DBGAD reactor were investigated. The process of AC DBGAD includes breakdown gliding mode (B-G) and steady arc gliding mode (A-G), with peak currents on the order of amperes in B-G mode and on the order of milliamps in A-G mode. Situating a 50 mm quartz dielectric underneath the plasma area at a distance of 10 mm from the base of the blade electrodes, enhanced discharge power is obtained, and sustained arc gliding time is extended efficiently. At an input voltage of 9.2 kV, the DBGAD demonstrates a 27% increase in arc stabilization gliding time compared to the gliding arc discharge (GAD) and delivers an average discharge power 1.12 times superior to that of the GAD. In the DBGAD reactor, the plasma column twists following the minor vortex of the reflow and has a more pleated shape. The energy injection characteristics are analyzed using the fast Fourier transform system, and the results show that the current harmonic content of DBGAD is reduced and the discharge fluctuation is mitigated, which is favorable for stable discharge. The primary benefit of incorporating quartz dielectric is that it provides the mobile arc with a supportive force, leading to a more substantial and intensely focused plasma field. This in turn facilitates greater system stability and yields measurable enhancements in power output.