Influence of plasma temperature on the concentration of NO produced by pulsed arc discharge

This study conducted experiments on producing inhaled medical nitric oxide (iNO) by pulsed arc discharge in dry and clean air under different discharge current. The concentration of NO and NO2 produced by air discharge, as well as the change of the ratio of NO2/NO under different discharge current were investigated. Through the analysis of plasma emission spectrum, the relationship between discharge current and arc plasma temperature was studied. The results indicate that, as discharge current increases, the arc plasma temperature increases, which then leads to the increase of NO concentration, the decrease of NO2 concentration, and the rapid decrease of the ratio of NO2/NO. When the plasma temperature is 9000K, the ratio of NO2/NO is approximately 60%, while when the plasma temperature varies between 10550K and 11300K, the NO2/NO ratio is within the range of 4.2% to 4.6%.