<p>The twin torch arc system currently mainly confronts issues such as unstable discharge and rapid anode ablation. In this work, we designed a rod cathode-tubular anode twin torch arc system. The influence of anode structure parameters and operating parameters on the arc discharge characteristics was systematically investigated. Research indicated that the tubular anodes had a stronger arc confinement effect compared to the rod cathode, which affected the symmetry of dual jet. There was a minimum gas flow requirement to sustain discharge stability, and the minimum gas flow increased with the increase in the anode’s inner diameter and depth. As the inner diameter and depth of the anode increased, the arc spot moved backward, thereby increasing the constraint length of the anode wall to the arc. This resulted in a higher average discharge voltage and reduced voltage fluctuations. However, it also raised the lower limit of the gas flow required to maintain stable arc discharge. Moreover, the cavity structure of the tubular anode induced a Helmholtz resonance phenomenon. The resonance frequency decreased with the increase of the anode inner diameter and depth, and it increased with the increase of current and the decrease of inlet gas flow. Compared to that of the rod-shaped anode, the ablation rate of the tubular electrode was significantly lower, which could reach to 4.5 × 10⁻¹¹&#xa0;kg/C. This study may provide more basic data for the optimized design of twin torch arc system.</p>