4,418 research outputs found

    The physics of streamer discharge phenomena

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    In this review we describe a transient type of gas discharge which is commonly called a streamer discharge, as well as a few related phenomena in pulsed discharges. Streamers are propagating ionization fronts with self-organized field enhancement at their tips that can appear in gases at (or close to) atmospheric pressure. They are the precursors of other discharges like sparks and lightning, but they also occur in for example corona reactors or plasma jets which are used for a variety of plasma chemical purposes. When enough space is available, streamers can also form at much lower pressures, like in the case of sprite discharges high up in the atmosphere. We explain the structure and basic underlying physics of streamer discharges, and how they scale with gas density. We discuss the chemistry and applications of streamers, and describe their two main stages in detail: inception and propagation. We also look at some other topics, like interaction with flow and heat, related pulsed discharges, and electron runaway and high energy radiation. Finally, we discuss streamer simulations and diagnostics in quite some detail. This review is written with two purposes in mind: First, we describe recent results on the physics of streamer discharges, with a focus on the work performed in our groups. We also describe recent developments in diagnostics and simulations of streamers. Second, we provide background information on the above-mentioned aspects of streamers. This review can therefore be used as a tutorial by researchers starting to work in the field of streamer physics.Comment: 89 pages, 29 figure

    Three-Dimensional Modeling of Electrostatic Precipitator Using Hybrid Finite Element - Flux Corrected Transport Technique

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    This thesis presents the results of a three-dimensional simulation of the entire precipitation process inside a single-electrode one-stage electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The model was designed to predict the motion of ions, gas and solid particles. The precipitator consists of two parallel grounded collecting plates with a corona electrode mounted at the center, parallel to the plates and excited with a high dc voltage. The complex mutual interaction between the three coexisting phenomena of electrostatic field, fluid dynamics and the particulate transport, which affect the ESP process, were taken into account in all the simulations. The electrostatic field and ionic space charge density due to corona discharge were computed by numerically solving Poisson and current continuity equations, using a hybrid Finite Element (FEM) - Flux Corrected Transport (FCT) method. The detailed numerical approach and simulation procedure is discussed and applied throughout the thesis. Calculations of the gas flow were carried out by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using the commercial FLUENT 6.2 software, which is based on the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The turbulence effect was included by using the k-ε model included in FLUENT. An additional source term was added to the gas flow equation to include the effect of the electric field, obtained by solving a coupled system of the electric field and charge transport equations, using the User-Defined-Function (UDF) feature of FLUENT. The particle phase was simulated using a Lagrangian-type Discrete Random Walk (DRW) model, where a large number of particles charged by combined field and diffusion charging mechanisms was traced with their motion affected by electrostatic and aerodynamic forces in turbulent flow using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) and programming UDFs in FLUENT. The airflow patterns under the influence of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) secondary flow and external flows, particle charging and deposition along the channel, and ESP performance in removal of submicron particulates were compared for smooth and spiked discharge electrode configurations in the parallel plate precipitator assuming various particle concentrations at the inlet. Finally, a laboratory scale wire-cylinder ESP to collect conductive submicron diesel particles was modeled. The influence of different inlet gas velocities and excitation voltages on the particle migration velocity and precipitation performance were investigated. In some cases, the simulation results were compared with the existing experimental data published in literature

    Methodology for 3D full-wave simulation of electrostatic breakdown across an air gap

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    The Rompe-Weizel SPICE model is used to obtain the time dependent arc resistance during simulation of air gap discharge. The SPICE model is solved using a circuit simulator, and the accompanying 3D model is solved using the transmission-line matrix time domain numerical method. Transient co-simulation is a new technique that is used to solve both circuit and 3D models at the same time. Transient co-simulation with the Rompe-Weizel SPICE model is first validated for different arc lengths using a simple geometry of a rod discharging to a ground plane. Validation is achieved by comparing the discharge currents from simulation with measurement. Next, a new simulation setup that uses a circuit switch along with the Rompe-Weizel model to capture the full physics of the Secondary ESD is tested. This simulation setup is tested by using an adjustable spark gap structure to generate Secondary ESD and validating it with measurements of the voltage across the gap and the discharge currents. Finally, the methodology is tested for practical usage by simulating the Secondary ESD in an actual smartphone product that is susceptible to secondary breakdown. The system level simulation predicts the coupling from ESD to a victim trace in the smartphone. Measurements performed at several stages of modeling the smartphone validate the simulation results. Using this novel methodology, the user can simulate secondary discharge in products to predict ESD damage and disruption on a system level --Abstract, page iv

    Spatially hybrid computations for streamer discharges: II. Fully 3D simulations

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    We recently have presented first physical predictions of a spatially hybrid model that follows the evolution of a negative streamer discharge in full three spatial dimensions; our spatially hybrid model couples a particle model in the high field region ahead of the streamer with a fluid model in the streamer interior where electron densities are high and fields are low. Therefore the model is computationally efficient, while it also follows the dynamics of single electrons including their possible run-away. Here we describe the technical details of our computations, and present the next step in a systematic development of the simulation code. First, new sets of transport coefficients and reaction rates are obtained from particle swarm simulations in air, nitrogen, oxygen and argon. These coefficients are implemented in an extended fluid model to make the fluid approximation as consistent as possible with the particle model, and to avoid discontinuities at the interface between fluid and particle regions. Then two splitting methods are introduced and compared for the location and motion of the fluid-particle-interface in three spatial dimensions. Finally, we present first results of the 3D spatially hybrid model for a negative streamer in air

    Electrostatic Gas-Liquid Separation from High Speed Streams--Application to Advanced On-Line/On- Demand Separation Techniques

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    The separation of suspended droplets from gases has been one of the basic scientific and technical problems of the industrial era and this interest continues. Various industrial applications, such as refrigeration and HVAC systems, require control of fine droplets concentrations in moving gaseous mediums to maintain system functionality and efficiency. Separating of such fine droplets can be achieved using electrostatic charging as implemented in electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). They use electrostatic force to charge and collect solid particles. The objective of the present work was to study the feasibility of using wiretube electrostatic separator on the removal of fine water and oil droplets from air stream based on corona discharge ionization process. A parametric study was conducted to find key parameters affecting the separation process. This goal was approached by simulating the charging and separation phenomena numerically, and then verifying the modeling findings through experiments. The numerical methodology simulated the highly complex interaction between droplets suspended in the flow and electrical field. Two test rigs were constructed, one for air-water separation and the other for air-oil separation. A wiretube electrostatic separator was used as the test section for both test rigs. The separation performance was evaluated under different electric field and flow conditions. Finally, based on the results, a novel air-water separator prototype was designed, fabricated and tested. The numerical modeling results qualitatively showed acceptable agreement with the experimental data in terms of the trend of grade efficiency based on droplets size. Both numerical modeling results and experimental data showed that with a proper separator design, high separation efficiency is achievable for water and oil droplets. Based on the experimental data, at flow velocity of 5 m/s and applied voltage of 7.0 kV, the maximum separation efficiency for water and oil was 99.999 % and 96.267 %, respectively. The pressure drop was as low as 100 Pa and maximum power consumption was 12.0 W

    Stochastic Modeling of Electrohydrodynamically Enhanced Drag in One-Way and Fully Coupled Turbulent Poiseuille and Couette Flow

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    Die gemeinsame Modellierung von hydrodynamischen und elektrokinetischen Prozessen stellt eine numerische Hürde dar, die jedoch für verschiedene Anwendungen in der Elektrochemie oder im Energieingenieurwesen kritisch ist. Der aktuelle Modellierungsbedarf für elektrohydrodynamische (EHD), turbulente Strömungen liegt in den kleinskaligen Prozessen und Skalenwechselwirkungen. Um diese Einschränkungen zu überwinden, wird ein stochastisches, eindimensionales Turbulenzmodell (ODT) genutzt. Das Modell zielt darauf ab, alle relevanten Skalen der Strömung aufzulösen, jedoch nur entlang einer gedachten Linie. Turbulente Advektion wird durch eine stochastisch gezogene Sequenz an Wirbelereignissen, welche deterministische molekular-diffusive Prozesse unterbrechen, modelliert. In dieser Studie werden zwei kanonische Strömungskonfigurationen untersucht, die verschiedene Kopplungsstrategien und physikalische Prozesse adressieren. Zuerst werden EHD-Effekte in der vertikalen Rohrströmungen eines idealen Gases variabler Dichte und einer konzentrischen, axialen Elektrode mit einem einfach gekoppelten Modellformulierung untersucht. Elektrische Felder werden durch eine Corona-Entladung und eine als konstant angenommene elektrische Ladungsverteilung vorgeschrieben. Danach werden EHD-Effekte in der turbulenten Grenzschicht mithilfe der etwas einfacher aufgebauten ebenen Couette-Strömung einer univalenten, ionischen Flüssigkeit unter Nutzung der vollständig gekoppelten Modellformulierung untersucht. Beide Anwendungsfälle demonstrieren, dass das ODT-Modell Vorhersagefähigkeit besitzt, da mehrskalige Transportprozesse aufgelöst werden können. Die gewonnen Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass das teurere vollständig gekoppelte Verfahren, im Gegensatz zum günstigeren einfach gekoppelten Verfahren, verwendet werden sollte, wenn die Relaxationszeiten der Ladungsträger signifikant größer als die mittlere advektive Zeitskala der Strömung ist.Joint predictive modeling of hydrodynamics and electrokinetics is a standing numerical challenge but crucial for various applications in electrochemistry and power engineering. The present lack in modeling of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) turbulent flows lies in the treatment of small-scale processes and scale interactions. To overcome these limitations, a stochastic one-dimensional turbulence (ODT) model is utilized. The model aims to resolve all scales of the flow, but only on a notional line-of-sight, modeling turbulent advection by a stochastically sampled sequence of eddy events that punctuate deterministic molecular diffusive advancement. In this study, two canonical flow configurations are investigated that address different coupling strategies and flow physics. First, EHD effects in a variable-density vertical pipe flow of an ideal gas with an inner concentric electrode are investigated with a one-way coupled model formulation. Electric fields are generated by means of a corona discharge and the corresponding effect of a fixed ionic charge density field. Second, in order to reduce physical complexity, EHD effects the turbulent boundary layers in plane Couette flow of an isothermal univalent ionic liquid are investigated with a fully coupled model formulation. Both application cases demonstrate that ODT has predictive capabilities due to multiscale resolution of transport processes. Present results suggest that more expensive fully than one-way coupling of electrokinetics is crucial when charge relaxation times are significantly larger than the mean advection time scale

    A Review of Micro-Contact Physics for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Metal Contact Switches

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    Innovations in relevant micro-contact areas are highlighted, these include, design, contact resistance modeling, contact materials, performance and reliability. For each area the basic theory and relevant innovations are explored. A brief comparison of actuation methods is provided to show why electrostatic actuation is most commonly used by radio frequency microelectromechanical systems designers. An examination of the important characteristics of the contact interface such as modeling and material choice is discussed. Micro-contact resistance models based on plastic, elastic-plastic and elastic deformations are reviewed. Much of the modeling for metal contact micro-switches centers around contact area and surface roughness. Surface roughness and its effect on contact area is stressed when considering micro-contact resistance modeling. Finite element models and various approaches for describing surface roughness are compared. Different contact materials to include gold, gold alloys, carbon nanotubes, composite gold-carbon nanotubes, ruthenium, ruthenium oxide, as well as tungsten have been shown to enhance contact performance and reliability with distinct trade offs for each. Finally, a review of physical and electrical failure modes witnessed by researchers are detailed and examined

    Integration of High Voltage AC/DC Grids into Modern Power Systems

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    Electric power transmission relies on AC and DC grids. The extensive integration of conventional and nonconventional energy sources and power converters into power grids has resulted in a demand for high voltage (HV), extra-high voltage (EHV), and ultra-high voltage (UHV) AC/DC transmission grids in modern power systems. To ensure the security, adequacy, and reliable operation of power systems, the practical aspects of interconnecting HV, EHV, and UHV AC/DC grids into the electric power systems, along with their economic and environmental impacts, should be considered. The stability analysis for the planning and operation of HV, EHV, and UHV AC/DC grids in power systems is regarded as another key issue in modern power systems. Moreover, interactions between power converters and other power electronics devices (e.g., FACTS devices) installed on the network are other aspects of power systems that must be addressed. This Special Issue aims to investigate the integration of HV, EHV, and UHV AC/DC grids into modern power systems by analyzing their control, operation, protection, dynamics, planning, reliability, and security, along with considering power quality improvement, market operations, power conversion, cybersecurity, supervisory and monitoring, diagnostics, and prognostics systems
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