Arc energy and temperature during its propagation over ice-covered surfaces

The voltage and current waveforms during the propagation of an arc over an ice surface were measured and analyzed. The V-I characteristics of the discharge driven by ac power supply were studied. The instantaneous and per-cycle energy delivered to the arc column were calculated. The spectra of the emitted light during the arc propagation were collected and analyzed using a spectroscopic system. The rotational temperature was derived from the relative intensities of two groups of rotational lines corresponding to the peaks of the OH (A-X) (0, 0) vibrational band. The rotational temperatures of the experimental spectra for different current levels were derived. The relationship between the delivered energy to the arc column and the rotational temperature was studied and discussed.