New way of plasma generation by formation of gliding electrical discharges (called GlidArc) has been developed. At least two diverging electrodes other are placed in a fast gas flow and in the flow direction. The discharges are organized between the electrodes and across the flow. The displacement of the discharge roots on electrodes prevents their erosion. The electrical energy is directly and totally transferred to the gas. All gas or vapor, also dusty and/or misty, can be directly processed at any inlet temperature and 0.1 - 5 atm pressures. Big plasma volume at relatively low density is out of the thermodynamic equilibrium. Some applications of the GlidArc were tested in laboratory and industrial scale reactors flame overheatng (electro-burner), air depollution from volatile hazardous compounds, complete or partial valorization of concentrated H2S or H2S + C2 flue gas SO2 reduction to elementary sulfur, natural gas conversion to the syngas (H-2 + CO). Inexpensive gliding electric discharges can considerably reduce the nuisances of classical gas processes. Such discharges bring to these processes an easily controllable energy so that high energy consuming thermal processes at high temperatures can be substituted by this cold and catalytic plasma process at lower energy expense.
