Understanding the plasma and power characteristics of a self-generated steam bubble discharge

Abstract

Plasma formation in a self-generated steam bubble is studied using a coaxial discharge tube with an axial powered electrode (nominal peak operating voltage 2000 V) and an external ground lead without any gas flow. The discharge is potentially attractive for water purification applications in that the production of reactive nitrogen species and the associated water acidification is avoided. The discharge was found to form after a finite delay, which is attributed to the vapor bubble formation necessary for plasma ignition. Steam bubble composition was confirmed using emission spectra. Plasma properties and power dissipated in the self-generated steam bubble were characterized using emission spectroscopy and Lissajous methods. Discharge density and gas temperature were found to vary significantly over the applied ac voltage cycle. The power dissipated as inferred from the Lissajous method was found to scale inversely with frequency over the low frequency range investigated (4 kHz and 5 kHz).