Characterization of atmospheric pressure H2O/O2 gliding arc plasma for the production of OH and O radicals

• Published in: Physics of plasmas 2016-08, Vol.23 (8)
• Main Authors: Roy, N. C., Hafez, M. G., Talukder, M. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric pressure; Electric potential; Electric power supplies; Electrodes; Electron density; Emission analysis; Excitation; Flow velocity; Fluid flow; Gliding; Optical emission spectroscopy; Optical properties; Plasma; Plasma physics; Rotational spectra
• ISSN: 1070-664X; 1089-7674
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4960027

Atmospheric pressure H 2 O / O 2 gliding arc plasma is generated by a 88   Hz , 6   kV AC power supply. The properties of the produced plasma are investigated by optical emission spectroscopy. The relative intensity, rotational, vibrational, excitation temperatures and electron density are studied as a function of applied voltage, electrode spacing, and oxygen flow rate. The rotational and vibrational temperatures are determined simulating the OH ( A 2 Σ + ( v ″ = 0 ) → X 2 Π ( v ′ = 0 ) ) bands with the aid of LIFBASE simulation software. The excitation temperature is obtained from the CuI transition taking non-thermal equilibrium condition into account employing intensity ratio method. The electron density is approximated from the   H α Stark broadening using the Voigt profile fitting method. It is observed that the rotational and vibrational temperatures decrease with increasing electrode spacing and O 2 flow rate, but increase with the applied voltage. The excitation temperature is found to increase with increasing applied voltage and O 2 flow rate, but decrease with electrode spacing. The electron density increases with increasing applied voltage while it seems to be in a downward trend with increasing electrode spacing and O 2 flow rate.