System and method for ignition and reignition of unstable electrical discharges

A method comprising:

• providing a plurality of primary electrodes;
• positioning the primary electrodes symmetrically about a central axis;
• positioning a secondary electrode centrally between the plurality of primary electrodes;
• applying a first voltage by a first circuit between pairs of the primary electrodes;
• and
• applying by an independent second circuit a second voltage in the form of pulses between the secondary electrode and alternate ones of the primary electrodes;
• the second voltage being at least about 10 times greater than the first voltage.

A method for establishing unstable discharges between a pair of primary electrodes in a gas-filled reaction chamber, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a secondary electrode between the primary electrodes;
• (b) applying a first voltage between the primary electrodes, wherein the first voltage is not sufficient to initiate a discharge in the absence of ionization of the gas;
• (c) applying a pulse of a second voltage between the secondary electrode and a first one of the primary electrodes to produce a first pilot discharge and corresponding ionization path;
• (d) applying a pulse of the second voltage between the secondary electrode and a second one of the primary electrodes to produce a second pilot discharge and corresponding ionization path;
• and
• (e) producing a primary discharge between the primary electrodes along the ionization paths produced by the pilot discharges.

A reactor comprising:

• a reaction chamber;
• a plurality of primary electrodes positioned in the reaction chamber;
• a secondary electrode positioned between the plurality of primary electrodes;
• a first circuit for supplying power to the plurality of primary electrodes;
• and
• a second circuit for supplying power between the secondary electrode and alternate ones of the primary electrodes;
• wherein the reactor is configured to produce pilot discharges between the secondary electrode and alternate ones of the primary electrodes, wherein the pilot discharges produce ionization paths through a gas in the reactor and primary discharges between the primary electrodes are established along the ionization paths.