Some Specific Features of Heat and Mass Transfer of Gas-Discharge Plasma with a Liquid Electrolytic Cathode

A liquid electrolytic cathode is renewable and, therefore, presents a great practical interest. Energy balance on a liquid cathode has been analyzed in the current range 4-16 A at a relatively high current density (similar to 0.9 A/cm(2)). The discharge occurred in a diffusion form under the atmospheric pressure without ballast resistance. Power imparted to the discharge unit reached up to 20 kW. The electrolyte represented a table salt solution in distilled water. At room temperature, the electrolyte conductivity made (0.9-2.1).10(-3) (Omega.cm)(-1). It was identified that heat and mass exchange of plasma with the liquid electrolytic cathode substantially depended on the conditions of electrolyte cooling. At high cooling rate, the heat flux comes from the plasma to the liquid cathode whereas at small rate of cooling, all heat from the plasma to the liquid cathode is returned back into the discharge region by the electrolyte vapors. It should be noted that at the least possible rate of cooling of the liquid cathode the heat loss on the cathode is smaller than Joulean heat released inside the electrolyte.