Strong current arc discharges of alternating current

Summary form only given. The review of experimental investigation results of strong current (I=10-10/sup 4/A) quasistationary alternating current discharges in high pressure gases (P/spl ges/10/sup 5/Pa) is given. Structural and alternating current are properties in vortex, turbulent flows of air, argon, nitrogen and hydrogen were investigated. The existence of two arc discharge column regimes-contracted and diffusional-was determined experimentally. Processes of arc heat exchange with the surrounding gas for these regimes were studied. Together with the volume processes, mechanisms of discharge shorting on the electrodes surface and their erosion in the spot and without spot regimes in dependence of current quantity, gas pressure and electrodes material were investigated. Powerful (N=10-10/sup 3/ kW) alternating current plasma generators were designed and created on the basis of these investigations.