This paper presents a theor. model for the numerical anal. of the acceleration and heating of a gas by an elec. arc in a profiling channel with a diffuser anode. The thermal parameters and transport coeffs. of helium were detd. and the approximative expression for their calcn. in a broad range of temp. (0,3-100) kK and pressures are proposed. The calcn. and study of the effect of the thermal nonequil. plasma on the characteristics of the cylindrical arc were carried out. The results of the calcns. were compared with exptl. data and calcns. obtained from an equil. plasma model. [on SciFinder (R)
