A stable 12-phase AC arc was generated by transformers at a commercial electric power system, and the arc behavior was characterized by image analysis. For the unique advantages, the multiphase AC arc was developed to apply to in-flight glass melting for the purpose of energy-saving and emission reduction. The effects of electrode configuration and sheath gas flow rate on the arc and melting behavior of granulated glass raw material were investigated. Results show that the discharge behavior and the high-temperature region can be controlled by the electrode configuration. The luminance area of the high-temperature region and its fluctuation reflect the discharge behavior. The vitrification degree of glass raw material is mostly dependent on the center temperature of arc. As sheath gas flow rate increases, the ratio of luminance area decreases and the center temperature of arc increases.

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An innovative in-flight melting technology with multi-phase AC arc was developed for glass industry. The enthalpy probe and high speed video camera were used to characterize the temperature, velocity, and discharge behavior of multi-phase AC arc. The effects of input power and sheath gas flow rate on arc and melting behavior were investigated. Results show that the temperature and velocity on arc center are increased with input power or sheath gas flow increase. The fluctuation of luminance area ratio and coefficient of variation reflects the change of arc discharge behavior. High temperature of plasma enhances the melting of granulated raw particles during in-flight heating treatment. The shrinkage of particle and the volatilization degree of Na 2 O increase under a larger flow rate of sheath gas. The characterized arc behavior agrees with the melting behavior of glass raw materials, which can provide valuable guidelines for the process control of glass melting.

A stable 12-phase AC arc was successfully developed and applied in the field of glass in-flight melting, and the arc discharge behavior was characterized by image analysis. The effects of sheath gas flow rate on arc discharge and melting behavior of granulated glass raw material were investigated. Results show that different sheath gas flow rates lead to various arc discharge and high-temperature region. The fluctuation of luminance area ratio and coefficient of variation reflects the change of arc discharge behavior. As the sheath gas flow rate increases, the ratio of luminance area decreases and the center temperature of arc increases. The vitrification degree of glass raw material is mostly dependent on the center temperature of arc, higher center temperature and more vitrification degree.,A stable 12-phase AC arc was successfully developed and applied in the field of glass in-flight melting, and the arc discharge behavior was characterized by image analysis. The effects of sheath gas flow rate on arc discharge and melting behavior of granulated glass raw material were investigated. Results show that different sheath gas flow rates lead to various arc discharge and high-temperature region. The fluctuation of luminance area ratio and coefficient of variation reflects the change of arc discharge behavior. As the sheath gas flow rate increases, the ratio of luminance area decreases and the center temperature of arc increases. The vitrification degree of glass raw material is mostly dependent on the center temperature of arc, higher center temperature and more vitrification degree.

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