Low pressure gas glow discharges and apparatus for their production are known. When pressure is increased, the non-arcing discharge rapidly transitions to an arc discharge. Non-arcing discharges are usually produced at sub-atmospheric pressures, typically less than about 20 Torr. In addition, non-arcing discharge plasmatrons also reduce electrode erosion as a result of utilizing lower currents. Generally, thermal arc plasmatrons operate at low voltage and high current and have less efficient electrical energy to chemical energy conversion ratios than non-arcing discharge plasmatrons.
5,425,332 and 5,437,250, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). Thermal arc plasmatrons have received particular attention in the prior art. 1 and 2, Institute of Physics: Bristol, UK, 1995). Reece Roth, Industrial Plasma Engineering, Vol. A non-arcing discharge regime operates at high voltage and low currents, while an arc discharge regime operates at low voltage and high currents. Two general types of plasma discharge regimes can be distinguished by their electrical characteristics and their modes of operation. 6,322,757 and 5,887,554, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). Plasmatron fuel converters reform hydrocarbons to generate a hydrogen rich gas through the use of plasma discharges. The present invention relates to the field of fuel reforming technology and more particularly to a method and apparatus for a plasmatron fuel converter having decoupled air flow control.
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