Diagnostic study on spatial distribution of electron temperature and density in gliding arc air plasma

Gliding arc air plasma exhibits significant application potential in energy, environmental protection, and other fields due to its non-equilibrium characteristics (high electron temperature and high concentration of reactive species). However, the spatial distribution characteristics of its electron temperature and electron density play a crucial role in determining plasma chemical efficiency. In this study, a multi-spectral imaging method combined with a collisional-radiative model was employed to conduct high-resolution spatial distribution diagnosis of the high-energy electron temperature and electron density of air gliding arc plasma, and the influence law of gas flow rate on plasma parameters was analyzed. The experimental results show that the electron temperature in the plasma core region can reach 4 eV, and the electron density is on the order of 10¹⁴-10¹⁵ cm⁻³, with significant spatial inhomogeneity. By adjusting the gas flow rate of the gliding arc generator, the distribution law of electron parameters in the gliding arc plasma generator can be significantly changed. The research results can provide important data support for optimizing the design of gliding arc plasma reactors and promoting their industrial applications, meanwhile, this diagnostic method may achieve effective parameter distribution monitoring in the industrial application of gliding arc plasma.