High-Voltage Plasma Generators of Alternating Current with Rod Electrodes Stationary Operating on Oxidizing Media

Abstract

Summary form only given. The stationary plasma generators of alternating current with rod electrodes and power from 5 kW up to 50 kW have been developed in IEE RAS. The generators are used in plasmachemical installations intended for various practical applications including waste destruction and processing with synthesis-gas production. These are single-phase and three-phase high-voltage plasma generators, which prime property is ability to work on oxidizing media. In the presented paper, the basic physical processes proceeding in discharge chambers are examined. External characteristics of plasma generators are based on experimental data: dependences of working gas heat content, power in arcs and thermal efficiency from the plasma gas flow rate. Influence of variation of the plasma gas flow rate on electric parameters is shown. High-voltage plasma generators with rod electrodes are designed for operation on oxidizing environments (air) at atmospheric pressure with power (5-50) kW, plasma gas flow rate can vary in the range between 1 and 25 g/s. Thus, the thermal efficiency is 80-95%. The presented plasma generators have several advantages what makes their use at plasma technologies realization very prospective. One of basic advantages is the opportunity to control working gas heat content in a wide range (for air - from 2 MJ/kg up to 12 MJ/kg). Duration of continuous operation of such plasma generators is defined by electrode lifetime and makes several hundreds hours.