Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a Contact Glow Plasma Discharge in an electrolyte such as 7% K2CO3. A Shrouded Toroidal Anode is partially submerged in the electrolyte directly above a Flat Torus Cathode (totally submerged in the electrolyte), spaced approximately 50 mm apart, and the two electrodes are arranged in a concentric manner. A potential difference is applied from the cathode to the anode causing gas to be formed on the cathode. This is followed by a contact glow plasma being formed on the surface of the cathode and electromagnetically confined by a Spheromark formed by the configuration of the electrodes. This confinement of the plasma prevents a plasma arc from consuming the anode, which in turn allows for the application of 12,000 Watts and the occurrence of “non-linear electron resonance heating”. The effects of nonlinear series resonance increase the total power dissipation by factors of 2-5 for low pressure capacitive plasmas.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the generation of a plasma field in an electrolyte that heats the electrolyte forms part of a closed-loop heat transfer device, the electrolytic cell fluidly connected to a heat exchanger. A plasma electrode and a second electrode form part of the flow path of electrolyte from the tank to the heat exchanger. The electrolyte must flow through or along the electrodes when flowing from the tank to the heat exchanger.