Gas Flow Rate Dependence of the Discharge Characteristics of a Plasma Jet Impinging Onto the Liquid Surface

Abstract

We present here an analysis of the discharge characteristics near the liquid surface in the plasma jet operated at a He gas flow rate of 1.5–10 slm. The plasma diameter on the liquid surface increases with an increase in He gas flow rate, which results in an increase in the total amount of charge particles transferred from the plasma to the liquid. We also analyzed the gas flow patterns using a Schlieren gas flow imaging system. The diameter of the laminar flow and the gas flow distance along the liquid surface increase with an increase in He gas flow rate, which well explains the increase in the plasma diameter on the liquid surface. Our experiments clearly demonstrate that high gas flow rate realizes the large reaction area between the water molecule and the plasma in the plasma jet system.