AC Plasma Torches. Arc Initiation Systems. Design Features and Applications

This series of articles is devoted to the study of high-power AC plasma torches with different designs, purposes, and characteristics that allow the operation of a certain type of plasma generator in wide power and pressure ranges. The first part is devoted to the investigation of AC plasma torches with a specific purpose, that is, the initiation of an arc of a powerful PT. This paper describes the design features of a PT in detail, its characteristics, the parameters of the plasma stream, such as temperature, and heat content. The features of operation and various options of auxiliary plasma torch injectors that provide ignition of the main arc in the electric-discharge chamber are considered as well.