Stability analysis of multi-phase AC arc discharge for in-flight glass melting

A stable multi-phase AC arc was generated to by transformers at a commercial electric system. The arc discharge behavior and the stability were investigated by the high-speed video camera observation synchronized with the voltage waveform analysis. The effect of the number of phase and the flaming gas addition into the arc region on the arc behavior and the arc stability were studied. Results showed that the re-ignition occurred between adjacent electrodes periodically. Two kinds of the stability analysis methods were introduced. The estimated fluctuation degree showed that an increase of the number of the phase leads to the stable multi-phase AC arc. The deviation of the arc voltage from the average arc voltage was estimated to evaluate the uniformity of the multi-phase AC arc. Although an addition of the oxygen flame into the arc region leads to lower uniformity, the modification of the electrode position can improve the uniformity of the multi-phase AC arc.