In order to optimize the shock wave generated by underwater pulsed arc discharge, its′ propagation characteristics were studied in this paper. It can be found that cavity generated by discharge expanded once and collapsed twice in a complete period which is 13 ms. The first pulse and reflection numbers of measurement are slightly larger than simulation. And the maximum pulse and the decayed pulse of simulation are higher than measurement. Although these parameters of two results exist certain differences, but their change trends have consistency. It shows that this numerical method can reflect the basic law of shock wave propagation in experiment. By numerical simulation, this article found that the first pulse, the maximum pulse, and the decayed pulse of shock wave would increase with the decrease of reactor diameter. When the diameter is reduced by about 20%, the maximum pressure increases almost 1.5 times.

Underwater pulsed arc discharge; Shock Wave; Propagation characteristics; Numerical simulation; Cylindrical reactor.