Mechanisms of Streamer Propagation Affected by Driven Voltage Polarity in a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

A two-dimensional self-consistent fluid model is used to investigate the effects of DC-voltage polarity in plasma initiation and propagation of helium plasma jet.The simulation results indicate that the difference in initial breakdown for the positive jet and negative jet leads to a difference in the electron density of about 4 orders of magnitude,even with the same initial electric field,which also influences the subsequent propagation.In the propagation process of negative jets,the ionization process exists in a longer gas channel behind the streamer head.In addition,the drift process to the infinite grounded electrode driven by the electric field results in higher energy consumption in the ionization process.However,in the positive jet,the ionization process mainly exists in the streamer head.Therefore,the differences in the initial breakdown and propagation process make the electric field intensity and the ionization weaker in the streamer head of the negative jet,which explains the weaker and shorter appearance of the negative jet compared to the positive jet.Our model can adequately reproduce the experimental results,viz.a bullet-like propagation in the positive jet and a continuous plasma plume in the negative jet.Furthermore,it also indicates that the streamer velocity shows the same variations as the electron drift velocity for both positive and negative jets.     

Characteristic studies on positive and negative streamers of double-sided pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharge

The mechanisms of streamer generation and propagation in double-sided pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) on both sides have been analyzed and investigated by experiment and numerical simulation. The fully exposed asymmetric SDBD has two discharge processes located on the high voltage electrode (HVE) side and the ground electrode (GE) side. Discharge images of the HVE side and GE side are taken by a digital camera under continuous pulse and ICCD (Intensified Charge Coupled Device) is utilized to diagnose the generation and propagation of streamers in single pulse discharge. In order to understand the physical mechanisms of streamer evolution more deeply, we establish a 2D simulation model and analyze it from the aspects of electron density, ion density, reduced electric field and electron impact ionization source term. The results show that the primary and secondary discharges on the HVE side and the GE side of the double-sided SDBD are composed of positive streamer and negative streamer, respectively. On the HVE side, the accumulation of positive charges on the dielectric surface causes the direction of the electric field to reverse, which is the principal factor for the polarity reversal of the streamer. On the GE side, both the negative charges accumulated on the dielectric surface and the falling voltage are the key factors for the streamer polarity switch.     

How bead shapes affect the plasma streamer characteristics in packed-bed dielectric barrier discharges:a kinetic modeling study

Different shapes of dielectric packing beads could affect streamer propagating direction,plasma streamer behavior,and streamer types,such as surface discharge,surface-to-surface discharge,and volume discharge.In this paper,a 2D particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model is used to investigate the effect of the bead shapes on streamer characteristics in packed-bed dielectric barrier discharges.We calculate the electron density,ion density,excitation rate,ionization rate and the electric field with different bead shapes in two cases of seed electron configurations.The results demonstrate that both the configurations of seed electrons and the shape of beads could influence plasma properties.In the case of seed electrons located directly above the beads,the streamer cannot be generated with square beads,while weak surface ionization waves(SIWs)are developed with circle and triangle beads,when the distance between the seed electrons and the upper plate is as close as 0.02 mm.Whereas,the distance between the seed electrons and the upper plate is 0.06 mm,the streamers can be generated with all three bead shapes,but SIWs are still weak.This is because different shapes of beads induce different electric field and surface charging along the dielectric bead surfaces,determining the generation of SIWs.In the case of seed electrons placed between two beads,streamers can propagate in all three bead shape configurations,and the SIWs are enhanced.     

A two-dimensional air streamer discharge model based on the improved Helmholtz equation at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure

In this paper, an efficient boundary condition is applied to solve the photoionization rate, and a two-dimensional numerical simulation is carried out for the development and propagation of an air streamer at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure. The results show that the new boundary condition improves the calculation accuracy, but the influence of photoionization on the streamer discharge process is not obvious. The discharge current in the development of streamer discharge is defined, and the corresponding expression of the positive and negative streamer discharge current is given. The influence of the electric field exceeding the threshold value on the discharge process is preliminarily introduced. In the process of discharge, only the propagation velocity of the streamer is obviously higher than that of normal temperature and pressure, and the trend of the other parameters is basically the same as that described in the previous paper. The above results give us a deeper understanding of the discharge characteristics under low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure, which has certain significance for the development of aviation and high voltage engineering.     

Evolution of ionization waves in a multi-pulsed plasma jet: the role of memory charges

In this paper, we discuss the properties of ionization waves(IWs) in a multi-pulsed plasma jet while using the two-dimensional computational approach. The IWs are generated by application of three short negative pulses with a repetition frequency 12.5 MHz. The simulations are performed continuously during a single run while accounting for charges accumulated inside(surface charges)and outside(space charges) the tube. The plasma forming gas mixture(He/O2 = 99.8%/0.2%) is injected through the disc...     

Numerical study of the influence of dielectric tube on propagation of atmospheric pressure plasma jet based on coplanar dielectric barrier discharge

A 2D fluid model was employed to simulate the influence of dielectric on the propagation of atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet based on coplanar dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The spatio-temporal distributions of electron density, ionization rate, electrical field, spatial charge and the spatial structure were obtained for different dielectric tubes that limit the helium flow. The results show that the change of the relative permittivity of the dielectric tube where the plasma jet travels inside has no influence on the formation of DBD itself, but has great impact on the jet propagation. The velocity of the plasma jet changes drastically when the jet passes from a tube of higher permittivity to one of lower permittivity, resulting in an increase in jet length,ionization rate and electric field, as well as a change in the distribution of space charges and discharge states. The radius of the dielectric tube has a great influence on the ring-shaped or solid bullet structure. These results can well explain the behavior of the plasma jet from the dielectric tube into the ambient air and the hollow bullet in experiments.     

A study on technique to estimate impact location of loose part using Wigner-Ville distribution

Presented in this paper is a method to estimate impact location of a loose part using the Wigner-Ville distribution. The method uses dispersion characteristics of bending waves propagated in a plate. The power propagation velocity and arrival time difference of bending waves related to the dispersion characteristics can be obtained through the transformation of impact signals using the Wigner-Ville distribution. The distance from the impact location to the signal measuring point can be estimated using the information on the power propagation velocity and the arrival time difference of two bending waves. The experimental results show that the proposed method estimates the impact location with relative percentage error within 10% compared with the actual impact location.     

Experimental Study on Branch and Diffuse Type of Streamers in Leader Restrike of Long Air Gap Discharge

One of the main problems in the Ultra High Voltage(UHV) transmission project is to choose the external insulation distance,which requires a deep understanding of the long air gap discharge mechanism.The leader-streamer propagation is one of most important stages in long air gap discharge.In the conductor-tower lattice configuration,we have measured the voltage,the current on the high voltage side and the electric field in the gap.While the streamer in the leader-streamer system presented a conical or hyperboloid diffuse shape,the clear branch structure streamer in front of the leader was firstly observed by a high speed camera in the experiment.Besides,it is found that the leader velocity,width and injected charge for the branch type streamer are greater than those of a diffuse type.We propose that the phenomenon results from the high humidity,which was 15.5-16.5 g/m~3 in our experiment.     

Interactions between multiple filaments and bacterial biofilms on the surface of an apple

In this paper, the interactions between two dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) filaments and three bacterial biofilms are simulated. The modeling of a DBD streamer is studied by means of 2D finite element calculation. The model is described by the proper governing equations of air DBD at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The electric field in the computing domain and the self-consistent transportation of reactive species between a cathode and biofilms on the surface of an apple are realized by solving a Poisson equation and continuity equations. The electron temperature is solved by the electron energy conservation equation. The conductivity and permittivity of bacterial biofilms are considered, and the shapes of the bacterial biofilms are irregular in the uncertainty and randomness of colony growth. The distribution of the electrons suggests that two plasma channels divide into three plasma channels when the streamer are 1 mm from the biofilms. The toe-shapes of the biofilms and the simultaneous effect of two streamer heads result in a high electric field around the biofilms, therefore the stronger ionization facilitates the major part of two streamers combined into one streamer and three streamers arise.The distribution of the reactive oxygen species and the reactive nitrogen species captured by time fluences are non-uniform due to the toe-shaped bacterial biofilms. However, the plasma can intrude into the cavities in the adjacent biofilms due to the μm-scale mean free path. The two streamers case has a larger treatment area and realizes the simultaneous treatment of three biofilms compared with one streamer case.     

Experimental and simulated investigation of microdischarge characteristics in a pin-to-pin dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor

Both experimental and simulated studies of microdischarge (MD) are carried out in a dielectric barrier discharge with a pin-to-pin gap of 3.5 mm, ignited by a sinusoidal voltage with a peak voltage of 10 kV and a driving frequency of 5 kHz. Statistical results have shown that the probability of the single current pulse in the positive half-period (HP) reaches 73.6% under these conditions. Experimental results show that great luminous intensity is concentrated on the dielectric surface and the tip of the metal electrode. A 1D plasma fluid model is implemented by coupling the species continuity equations, electron energy density equations, Poisson equation, and Helmholtz equations to analyze the MD dynamics on the microscale. The simulated results are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The simulated results show that the MD dynamics can be divided into three phases: the Townsend phase, the streamer propagation phase, and the discharge decay phase. During the streamer propagation phase, the electric field and electron density increase with the streamer propagation from the anode to the cathode, and their maximal values reach 625.48 Td and 2.31 × 1019 m−3, as well as 790.13 Td and 3.58 × 1019 m−3 in the positive and negative HP, respectively. Furthermore, a transient glow-like discharge is detected around the anode during the same period of streamer propagation. The formation of transient glow-like discharge is attributed to electrons drifting back to the anode, which is driven by the residual voltage in the air gap.     

Characteristics of long-gap AC streamer discharges under low pressure conditions

The generation and propagation of a streamer is a significant physical process of air gap discharge. Research on the mechanism of streamers under low-pressure conditions is helpful for understanding the process of long-gap discharge in a high-altitude area. This paper describes laboratory investigations of streamer discharge under alternating current(AC) voltage in a low pressure test platform for a 60 cm rod–plane gap at 30 kPa, and analyzes the characteristics of streamer generation and propagation. The results show that the partial streamer and breakdown streamer all occur in the positive half-cycle of AC voltage near the peak voltage at 30 kPa. The partial streamer could cause the distortion of current and voltage waveform, and it appears as the branching characteristic at the initial stage. With the extension of the streamer, the branching and tortuosity phenomena become gradually obvious, but the branching is suppressed when the streamer crosses the gap. The low-pressure condition has little influence on the tortuosity length and the tortuosity number of the streamer, but affect the diameter of streamer obviously.     

A two-dimensional air streamer discharge modified model based on artificial stability term under non-uniform electric field at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure

In this paper, an improved air discharge fluid model under non-uniform electric field is constructed based on the plasma module COMSOL Multiphysics with artificial stability term, and the boundary conditions developed in the previous paper are applied to the calculation of photoionization rate. Based on the modified model, the characteristics of low temperature subatmospheric air discharge under 13 kV direct current voltage are discussed, including needle-plate and needle-needle electrode structures. Firstly, in order to verify the reliability of the model, a numerical example and an experimental verification were carried out for the modified model respectively. Both verification results show that the model can ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the calculation. Secondly, according to the calculation results of the modified model, under the same voltage and spacing, the reduced electric field under low temperature subatmosphere pressure is larger than that under normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. The high electric field leads to the air discharge at low temperature and sub atmospheric pressure entering the streamer initiation stage earlier, and has a faster propagation speed in the streamer development stage, which shortens the overall discharge time. Finally, the discharge characteristics of the two electrode structures are compared, and it is found that the biggest difference between them is that there is a pre-ionization region near the cathode in the needle-needle electrode structure. When the pre-ionization level reaches 10~(13) cm~(-3), the propagation speed of the positive streamer remains unchanged throughout the discharge process, and is no longer affected by the negative streamer. The peak value of electric field decreases with the increase of pre-ionization level, and tends to be constant during streamer propagation. Based on the previous paper, this paper constructs the air discharge model under non-uniform electric field, complements with the previous paper, and forms a relatively complete set of air discharge simulation system under low temperature and sub atmospheric pressure, which provides a certain reference for future research.     

Dynamic development model for long gap discharge streamer-leader system based on fractal theory

Establishing a long air gap discharge model considering the streamer-leader transition and randomness of the discharge path is of great significance to improve the accuracy of discharge characteristic prediction and optimize external insulation design. Based on fractal theory and thermal ionization theory of streamer-leader transition, this work establishes a dynamic development model for the long air gap discharge streamer-leader system, which includes streamer inception, streamer development, leader inception, development of streamer-leader system and final jump. The positive discharge process of a 3 m rod plate is simulated to obtain the fractal distribution of the discharge path and the law of leader development for comparison with the discharge test results. The results show that the simulation model is similar to test results in the development characteristics of leader path distribution, each stage time and leader velocity. Finally, a simulation calculation of a 50% breakdown voltage of the rod-plate gap and ball-plate gap is carried out, with results fairly consistent with test data, proving the effectiveness and practicality of the model.     

Molecular dynamics study of acoustic velocity in silicate glass under irradiation

The development of a molecular dynamics method simulating the propagation of acoustic waves allowed their propagation velocities to be measured in borosilicate glasses. The qualitative results obtained in glass irradiated by heavy ions correctly reproduces the experimental results, i.e. a reduction in the acoustic wave propagation velocity in irradiated glass. These changes in the mechanical properties were correlated with structural changes, in particular increased disorder in the glass. The greater disorder results in broadening of the characteristic distributions of the glass: distances, angles, and ring sizes. Similarities were clearly observed between the effects of irradiation and the effects of higher quenching rates on the acoustic wave propagation velocities. An additional study of glass artificially expanded by homothetic volume transformation shows that a reduction in acoustic velocity is not necessarily associated with swelling. The artificial volume change combined with increased stresses in the glass results in higher acoustic velocities.     

Effect of Ion Engine Exhaust on the Radiation Field of a Dipole Antenna Part I: Infinite Slab Model for the Exhaust Ion Beam

A theory of the effect of an ion rocket engine exhaust on the radiation pattern of a dipole antenna is presented. The electromagnetic equations are combined with those describing the exhaust plasma beam to calculate its equivalent effective dielectric constant. In part I of this paper, the beam is represented by an infinite slab of a homogenous plasma medium, as is usually considered in space charge neutralization studies of this type of engine. The equations of propagation of electromagnetic waves through the beam medium, are used to calculate the total dipole radiation field. The method of steepest descent is applied for the evaluation of the integrals. It is found that the dipole radiation pattern depends greatly on the beam characteristic parameters.     

Characteristics and behavior of the interfacial wave on the liquid film in a vertically upward air-water two-phase annular flow

The behavior of individual interfacial waves on liquid film in vertically upward air-water annular flows has been visualized, observed and analyzed by a pigment luminance method(PLM) which was calibrated with a fiber-optic liquid film sensor. By means of this technique, we distinguished three different types of interfacial waves, i.e. the ripple wave, the ring wave and the disturbance wave. Furthermore we measured the characteristics of these three different kinds of waves, and in particular those of the disturbance wave: i.e. its propagation velocity, its frequency in passing and the distance between two adjacent waves, and then obtained the dependency of these characteristics on the air and water volumetric fluxes j_g and j_l. These results agreed well with the results obtained by other investigators, using an electric needle contact method. A probable mechanism of the occurrence of the ring and the disturbance waves was posited.     

On-Line Measurement of Ion Density in Atmospheric Nitrogen Discharge Filaments via Radiation Signals from Plasma Oscillation

Diagnosis of the particle number density of plasma plays an important role in the understanding of plasma sources and processing.Regular radiation signals from plasma oscillation in filaments of atmospheric nitrogen discharge,which were excited by the injection of secondary electron beams during the propagation of the streamer,are employed to determine the ion density of plasma and its evolution in the filaments.Results show that the density of N_4~+ in a filament of atmospheric nitrogen discharge is of the order of 10~(13) cm~(-3).It is also found that the recombination processes play a dominant role in plasma decay,and that the ion density decreases non-monotonically with time during streamer propagation.     

Correlation between surface charge and creepage discharge on polymeric dielectrics under high-frequency high-voltage stress

In the present work, creepage discharge characteristics, i.e. amplitudes, phases, and repetitiveness, and surface charge dynamic behaviors under a 20 kHz high-frequency sinusoidal waveform high-voltage electrical stress were captured in a discharge chamber with temperature and humidity control. The results showed that the creepage discharges mostly occurred in the positive half phase, whose maximum amplitude increased with the development of discharge. The inception voltage of the creepage discharge is independent of the frequency of the external electrical stress. Once the discharge occurred, there were a large number of positive and negative particles ionized by a high electric field. Because of the much higher velocity of electrons than positive ions, the energetic discharge-produced electrons are likely to disperse away along the surface and be accumulated through adsorption, collision, and reactions. Moreover, the positive ions join the high-conductive discharge channel and disappear though the ground electrode. Thus, after high-frequency creepage discharge, only negative charges remained on the dielectric surface, as measured. Particularly, the creepage discharges mostly occurred in the positive half phase, owing to the reverse electric field induced by the accumulated negative charges. With the development of creepage discharge, some large-amplitude discharges began to occur in the positive-peak-phase region. The research concluded that the synergistic effect of negative surface charges and large-amplitude discharges eroded the dielectrics and excited the streamer to creep toward the ground electrode until flashover along the surface. Therefore, the correlation between high-frequency creepage discharge and surface charge is preliminarily revealed.     

Pressure wave phenomena in bubbly liquid

Propagation of shock waves in dilute bubbly liquids is investigated numerically taking into account internal phenomena inside the bubbles. Governing equations for the bubbly liquid are formulated with emphasis on the radial and transverse motions of the bubbles. A numerical method, where individual bubbles are traced to estimate the effects of transverse motions and volumetric changes on the wave phenomena, is developed. Numerical results under several conditions reveal that the radial motion of the bubbles, which is affected by the internal phenomena, such as thermal conduction through the bubble wall, have significant influences on the change of propagation velocity of the shock wave and relaxation phenomena behind the wave. Slippage between bubbles and liquid do not have so much influence on the wave phenomena as the thermal conditions inside the bubble. The nondimensional thermal diffusivity,

is one of the most effective parameters to be correlated with the wave propagation processes, such as the propagation velocity and the waveform change with the wave propagation.