A Vapor-Air Discharge between Electrolytic Anode and Metal Cathode at Atmospheric Pressure

An experimental investigation is performed of the structure, mechanism, and electrical and thermal characteristics of a vapor-air discharge between an electrolytic anode (EA) and a metal cathode (MC) in a wide range of parameters at pressure $P = 8 \times 10^4$ to $10^5$ Pa, current $I = 0.02$ to $60$ A, interelectrode spacing $I = 0.1$ to $40$ mm, and metal cathode diameter $d_c = 1$ to $40$ mm. The main types of vapor-air discharge with EA are identified. The possibility of burning of a multichannel discharge between a metal cathode and an electrolytic anode at atmospheric pressure is demonstrated for the first time, and a vapor-air discharge with a diffuse plasma column is investigated at high currents and large interelectrode spacings. It is determined that the electrical and thermal characteristics depend significantly on current, interelectrode spacing, electrolyte composition and concentration, geometric shape, diameter, and cooling of the MC. The significant effect of the vapor-air discharge on the electrolytic anode surface is revealed. Transverse waves are observed on the electrolyte surface. Significant turbulent mixing is observed for the first time on the electrolyte-plasma interface in the case of a vapor-air discharge with electrolytic anode at atmospheric pressure and high currents.