Effect of electrode configuration on plasma spatial distribution and gas temperature in multi‐arc plasma generator with three pairs of electrodes

Abstract In this paper, a novel nonthermal multi‐arc plasma generator with three pairs of electrodes is presented to obtain large‐volume plasma. The discharge behaviour of multi‐arc is investigated through high‐speed photography. Statistical process of the photographic images of arc discharge is used for analysis of the effect of electrode configuration on arc spatial distribution and fluctuation of plasma flow. Besides, the gas temperature is diagnosed by diatomic molecular OH fitting method. Results show that the electrode configuration has vital effect on the spatial distribution of plasma in discharge area. A relatively stable region with high luminance is obtained in the centre of the discharge area by adjusting the electrode arrangements, in which the plasma gas temperature in swirl flow field is higher than that in straight flow field in multi‐arc generator. Furthermore, the fluctuation of plasma flow weakens in multi‐arc generator with electrode configurations capable of producing swirl flow field.