Study of the specific features of pulsed-plasma generation in air at atmospheric pressure

The structural scheme and operational characteristics of a pulse-plasma device generating a pulsed plasma in air at atmospheric pressure are presented. The functional scheme and the operation algorithm for a high-voltage power supply are given. It is shown that the pulsed-plasma device can generate air plasma flows with a frequency of 1–10 Hz and maximum parameters of pressure, temperature, and velocity of 6.5 MPa, 12,000 K, 4 km ⁄ s, and 110 dB_A, respectively. Comparative analysis is presented of these quantities with characteristics of the plasma flow generated by the detonation pulsed-plasma device, which uses an air-propane mixture as the plasma-forming substance. It is shown that replacing the air-propane gas mixture with air provides a 70 dB_A decrease in the noise level of the pulsed-plasma treatment. Recommendations are given as to using the pulsed-plasma device for surface strengthening of the instrument and parts of the machine.