Study of the Dynamics of Arc Discharge Burning in a Methane–Hydrogen-Containing Atmosphere in an Alternating Current Plasma Torch

The results of the study of the dynamics of an arc discharge burning in the electric arc chamber of an alternating current plasma torch with the power of up to 10 kW are presented. The measurements have been carried out using graphite and tungsten electrode tips at the atmospheric pressure in the following ranges of plasma-forming gas flow rates: H2 up to 0.08 g/s and a mixture of H2 + CH4 up to 0.1 g/s. Characteristic stages of the discharge development have been obtained, among which contracted, diffuse with the formation of a plasma plume and transient types of the arc discharge have been observed.