Simulation study of a capacitively coupled plasma torch array

An array of air plasma torches can be lit up simultaneously by a single common AC source using capacitors as ballasting circuit elements to prevent voltage shortage in the other electrode pairs due to the discharge in one pair. The set-up is modeled as coupled resistance-inductance-capacitance circuits, each electrode pair in the presence of the plasma torch is represented by a parallel resistance-capacitance circuit. The dynamics of the plasma is described by the rate equations of the electrons, positive ions and negative ions. The results for the voltage and current functions of the ballasting capacitors, the source, and the electrode pairs are obtained, and compare favorably with experimental measurements.