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RE-IGNITION OF HIGH CURRENT SPARK DISCHARGES

Journal Article · · Plasma Phys.-Accelerators-Thermonuclear Research, J. Nuclear Energy
Recovery characteristics of high current spark discharges are obtained for 235 ka discharges between electrodes of various sizes and materials (copper and tungsten) in air at atmospheric pressure. A comparison of re-ignition voltage characteristics for hydrogen, air, and argon is also obtained for 235 ka discharges between tungsten rod electrodes. The circuit of the high current genertor and restriking voltage generator is shown. Two trends are observed in the recovering spark channel: a rapid initial recovery up to about 2 msec and a slower rate thereafter as the re-ignition voltage approaches the sparking gap potential. For most characteristics the fully-recovered time is about 20 msec, and in all cases investigated is less than 100 msec. The best reproducibility of results is found for hydrogen. The re-ignition characteristics show that electrode size has a considerable influence upon the overall gap recovery. ln this study, re-ignition measurements are made only during the spark breakdown period. (N.W.R.)
Research Organization:
Univ. of Liverpool
NSA Number:
NSA-16-002361
OSTI ID:
4829413
Journal Information:
Plasma Phys.-Accelerators-Thermonuclear Research, J. Nuclear Energy, Journal Name: Plasma Phys.-Accelerators-Thermonuclear Research, J. Nuclear Energy Vol. Vol: Pt. C, 3
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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