Correlation of size, velocity, and autonomous phase of a plasmoid in atmosphere with the dissipated energy

The visual properties of a large plasmoid rising from a water container into the air for up to 450 ms are brought into correlation with the total energy dissipated into the system, and, in particular, with the energy used for plasma generation. The latter parameters are deduced from the time-resolved discharge current and voltage of the capacitor bank which is used as energy supply. By varying the experimental parameters, the energy dissipated to the system varies between 5 kJ and 30 kJ from which 10% to 30% is transferred to the plasma. Clear correlations are obtained for the size of the plasmoid changing from 15 cm to 35 cm in width, the ascent velocity ranging from 1 m/s to 2 m/s, and the rising height for which up to 85 cm is measured. For the relation of the autonomous phase with the energy transferred to the plasma, two trends are observed: 450 ms duration is achieved in maximum with the present setup being almost independent on the electrode gap, the voltage-on time, the water conductivity, or the type of salt dissolved in the water. On the other hand, an almost linear dependence is obtained by changing the capacitance.