ABSTRACT
The assumption of a local quasi-equilibrium is usually valid for the translational energy sub-system of neutral particles, even in strongly non-equilibrium plasma-chemical systems. If correctly organized, the non-thermal plasma-chemical process' discharge power can be selectively focused on the chemical reaction of interest without heating the whole gas. The conservation equations, describing enthalpy and mass transfer in multi-component quasi-equilibrium reacting gas are similar in thermal plasma and combustion systems and can be presented. The statistical approaches provide only a qualitative analysis of the vibrational kinetics. Only the kinetic equations permit describing the evolution of the vibrational distributions, taking into account all the variety of relaxation processes and chemical reactions. The vibrational distribution functions in non-equilibrium plasma are usually controlled by VV-exchange and VT relaxation processes. The electrons in non-thermal discharges mostly provide excitation of low vibrational levels, which determines vibrational temperature.
