Self-igniting long arc plasma torch

A plasma torch having:

• a plurality of hollow electrodes, each said hollow electrode having an electrode gas inlet port and a first gap gas inlet port on the opposite end from said electrode gas inlet port;
• a plurality of isolated plasma tubes, each said isolated plasma tube placed a first gap distance from said hollow electrode, thereby forming a first gap having a first gap plasma initiation region, each said isolated plasma tube having a second gap end opposite said first gap plasma initiation region;
• a plurality of electrically connected plasma tubes, each said electrically connected plasma tube placed a second gap distance from an associated isolated plasma tube second gap end, thereby forming a second gap having a second gap plasma initiation region, the opposite end of said electrically connected plasma tubes having a plasma outlet aperture which is adjacent to other electrically connected plasma tubes and thereby forming a plasma outlet;
• whereby upon the application of a gas to said electrode gas inlet, said first gas inlet, and said second gas inlet, and the application of an electrical voltage to said electrodes, said first plasma initiation region and said second plasma initiation region form localized plasmas across said first gap and said second gap which join to form a single plasma across said hollow electrodes.