Heat string model of bi-dimensional dc Glidarc

The gliding are discharge ('Glidarc') is the subject of renewed interest in application to a variety of chemical reactions. The gliding are creates a weakly ionized gas 'string' between two horn-shaped electrodes. In this pap er, we present a simple model for a bi-dimensional dc Glidarc working in ai r, in which the conducting zone of the discharge that is heated by the Joul e effect is considered as a hot wire cooled by an air flow. Inside this wir e, the heat transfer results from thermal conduction. The exchange of heat between the hot wire and the air flow is assured by convection and depends on the wire radius and the relative velocity of the are with respect to the gas flow. The model correctly describes experimental results and allows us to predict the working parameters of the Glidarc in different experimental situations.