Physics of Electrical Discharges in Air

Abstract

Investigating electric discharges in gaseous media is of paramount importance due to its wide- ranging applications in plasma-based technologies and the development of reliable insulation systems for high-voltage environments. This dissertation presents a comprehensive computational and experimental study of electric discharges in dielectric air under applied negative DC high voltage. The computational research includes detailed mathematical modeling, multiphysics simulations, and extensive numerical analyses, offering a deep dive into the dynamics of air discharges. This approach is complemented by finite-element simulation methodologies and a broad parametric analysis, enhancing our understanding of the factors influencing electric discharge behaviors from a microscopic perspective. Experimentally, the study focuses on partial discharges in air under conditions that simulate those found in aircraft electrification. This research provides a thorough characterization of the dynamics of electrical discharges and the behavior of dielectric air under aviation-related settings, thereby contributing to the design of robust and compact insulation systems for key electrical components in future electric aircraft