The study of the ionic wind blower with multi-needles/ring type electrodes disposed on inner wall of the cylindrical blower

Corona discharge is one of many methods that convert electrical power into mechanical force. It has been studied for various industrial fields because of its many advantages over conventional motor, such as its no moving parts, simpler structure, minimizing size and so on. In this paper, a discharge system with multiple corona electrodes disposed in a ring format, is studied by focusing on the electrical and mechanical characteristics. Effective ionic wind generation is due to the corona discharge which depends on electric field. Therefore, the electric field is affected by the voltage, discharge spacing, and distance between each corona electrodes.     

石蜡液面离子风的研究

研究了常压空气中针-石蜡液面 50Hz 交流电晕放电离子风特性。交流电晕离子风能够引起液体石蜡 显著变形,随着电压升高,变形从漏斗状发展到盆状。在石蜡层厚度为 5mm 时,盆状变形最大,深度达到 5.3mm, 最大作用范围半径 18.8mm,变形产生的压强达到 48.9Pa,远远超过直流针-水电晕放电情况。随着电压升高,从 电晕放电过渡到流注放电时盆状变形依然存在,这一点明显不同于直流针-水电晕放电。研究表明交流电晕离子风 具有优良的驱动绝缘液体介质的巨大潜力。     

On the negative corona and ionic wind over water electrode surface

The DC corona discharge in air and the induced ionic wind were investigated in the needle-to-water system at atmospheric pressure. The water deformation was measured under various conditions, and wind pressure and active areas were estimated accordingly. The effects of applied voltage, gap spacing and tip radius on the corona ionic wind were studied and the qualitative analysis was provided. Self-rotation of corona discharge was observed in experiments. The results show that higher voltage or electric field strength results in a stronger ionic wind. The active area increases with applied voltage below a voltage threshold. There is an optimal gap distance for a wider as well as stronger ionic wind and blunter needle we used leads to an enhancement on both the active area and the wind strength. The wind velocity reaches 7 m/s at optimized condition in the present system. The rotation of corona discharge helps to improve the active area and uniformity of the treating area which may be associated with the chemical reaction of the water surface.     

基于电晕放电的大功率LED散热研究

针对大功率LED芯片的散热问题,提出了一种基于电晕放电原理的离子风散热方案。通过试验,研究了电晕放电的电学性能,同时探寻了放电电压对制冷效果的影响以及温降随电晕放电功率的变化规律。结果表明,放电间距相同时,对发生器施加负电晕能够在较低的电压下产生离子风,降温效果显著。电晕电流平方根与放电电压呈线性关系。电晕放电功率为1.5 W、放电间距为10 mm时,散热效果最好。     

线-铝箔电极电晕放电激励器的推力理论与实验研究

空气电晕放电离子风激励器无需旋转部件, 仅通过消耗电能就能直接产生驱动力, 它是一种新型的动力技术, 备受国内外航空航天界的广泛关注. 目前对空气电晕放电离子风激励器的推力产生机理虽有各种解释, 但是现有理论均不能统一各种条件下的实验结果, 仍需要开展进一步的分析与研究. 本文以线-铝箔电极电晕放电激励器为研究对象, 通过实验研究发现作用在线电极与铝箔电极上的静电力不对称, 而且改变铝箔电极纵向高度和气压均能影响激励器的推力大小; 通过理论分析, 考虑电晕层与空间电荷的影响, 建立了线-铝箔电极电晕放电激励器的推力计算模型, 其计算值与实测值比较一致. 基于上述实验现象与理论建模分析, 本文认为线-铝箔电极电晕放电激励器的推力主要来源于线电极电晕产生的空间电荷对电极系统产生了不对称静电力作用, 使激励器出现净静电力作用.     

Experimental study of a modified dual-type high-voltage electrode for electrostatic separation applications

Several electrode arrangements have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of insulating materials charging by corona discharge. Recent studies pointed out that the presence of metal strips in the proximity of a dual-type high voltage electrode increases the total current measured at the surface of the collecting electrode, decreases the corona onset voltage value and enlarges the reparation of current density as well. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the benefits of using such an electrode arrangement for corona charging of non-conductive particulate materials in belt-type corona-electrostatic separators. The experimental study was carried out with samples of Aluminum and Polystyrene particles in the size class 125–250 μm. The presence of grounded strips reduces the electric wind, which is associated to corona discharge but not tolerated in such processes that involve micronized materials. At the same time, it improves the corona charging conditions of non-conductive materials and as consequence the overall efficiency of the corona-electrostatic separation process. The use of the new electrode configuration is characterized by both high recovery rates and better purities of the separated products.     

An empirical model for ionic wind generation by a needle-to-cylinder dc corona discharge

We present the results of an experimental study on ionic wind generation by a needle-to-cylinder dc corona discharge. A strong electrical field in the air generates air flow driven by the motion of ionized gas molecules along electric field lines. We measured the ionic wind velocity and discharge current with respect to various electrode geometries, distances between electrodes, and applied voltages. Our measurements suggest an empirical model for the ionic wind velocity as a function of the geometric factors of the collector electrode and the applied electric potential, which is useful for designing ionic wind cooling systems for small electronics.     

Characteristics and underlying physics of ionic wind in dc corona discharge under different polarities

During a dc corona discharge, the ions' momentum will be transferred to the surrounding neutral molecules, inducing an ionic wind.The characteristics of corona discharge and the induced ionic wind are investigated experimentally and numerically under different polarities using a needle-to-ring electrode configuration.The morphology and mechanism of corona discharge, as well as the characteristics and mechanism of the ionic wind, are different when the needle serves as cathode or anode.Under the different polarities of the applied voltage, the ionic wind velocity has a linear relation with the overvoltage.The ionic wind is stronger but has a smaller active region for positive corona compared to that for negative corona under a similar condition.The involved physics are analyzed by theoretical deduction as well as simulation using a fluid model.The ionic wind of negative corona is mainly affected by negative ions.The discharge channel has a dispersed feature due to the dispersed field, and therefore the ionic wind has a larger active area.The ionic wind of positive corona is mainly affected by positive ions.The discharge develops in streamer mode, leading to a stronger ionic wind but a lower active area.     

Visualization of the local ionic wind profile in a DC corona discharge field by laser-induced phosphorescence emission

Experimental visualization for ionic wind motion originated from DC corona discharges in a needle-plate electrode system has been investigated. A vapor-phase biacetyl tracer with laser-induced phosphorescence emission is used for optically characterizing the ionic wind profile. The ionic wind blows the excited biacetyl molecules away in continuing the visible phosphorescence emission for a long radiative lifetime. The captured image with elapsing time from the excitation presents the shifting location of radiative tracer along the ionic wind direction. The experimental results show the ionic wind profile enhanced in the electric field direction corresponding to the corona discharge progress. Especially, the ionic wind near an initiating point of corona discharges is focused as an advantage of this optical technique. The ionic wind velocity along the electrode axis can be obtained at the location close enough to the corona discharge initiation point, and the velocity at 0.5 mm from the discharge point is figured out as 9.3 to 19.2 m/s under the condition of the EHD Reynolds number of 0.95×10³ to 2.1×10³.     

Enhancement of thin air jets produced by ring-shaped dielectric barrier discharges using an auxiliary electrode

A ring-shaped dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was explored as a small form factor ionic wind device. Using a concentric ring electrode geometry, the DBD produced a converging ionic wind that leads to a vertical flow away from the DBD electrodes. The vertical flow was channeled through an outlet nozzle to produce a thin air jet, and a grounded auxiliary electrode was placed at the nozzle to enhance the exit velocity. The inner diameter of the ring-shaped DBD electrode and the auxiliary electrode ranged 3.18–9.54 mm and 1.0–4.0 mm, respectively. Results showed that the auxiliary electrode generated an ionic wind velocity up to 3.7 m/s and increased the conversion efficiency from discharge to flow power by a factor of 30 by strengthening the electric field where the ions are accelerated.     

Corona discharges in asymmetric electrode configurations

The dual electrode, which consists of an ionizing wire in parallel with a metallic cylindrical support, both connected at same high voltage supply, has been extensively studied in relation with various electrostatic applications. In practical situations, the dual electrode may be installed in the proximity of metallic objects that will affect the electric field repartition and, hence, the development of the discharge. The aim of the present work is to analyze the operating conditions of such electrodes in the presence of metallic rods or plates connected at fixed or floating potentials. The Superficial Charge Simulation Method was then employed for the numerical analysis of several electrode arrangements involving a dual corona electrode and a metallic rod parallel to it. The paper also reports the results of current–voltage characteristics and current density repartition measurements for the dual corona electrode alone or in the presence of other bodies at same or floating potential. The proximity of metallic objects leads to the increase of corona inception threshold and shifts the I–V characteristics to higher voltages. The objects at floating potential may reduce the discharge current to very low values, while those energized at the same voltage as the ionizing wire may simply anneal the discharge.     

实现大气压负直流辉光放电的针-柱电极结构设计与实验

为了实现大气压环境下稳定的辉光放电,设计了一种新型的针-柱电极结构放电装置。采用针尖直径为56.4 μm的不锈钢针作为放电阴极,直径为4 mm的紫铜圆柱作为放电阳极,两者通过精密机械结构保持平行。当针-柱之间间距为2 mm、镇流电阻10 MΩ,放电电阻10 MΩ,测试电阻1 kΩ、放电电压-2 740 V、大气压环境、室温、无外部通入气流时,针-柱之间实现了稳定的辉光放电。示波器存储的放电波形和数码相机记录的放电图像验证了从电晕放电到辉光放电,再到火花放电的三种放电模式。该针-柱结构易于用MEMS工艺加工制作,可应用于便携式分析仪器中作为离子源使用。     

Electrohydrodynamic force produced by a corona discharge between a wire active electrode and several cylinder electrodes – Application to electric propulsion

Low-speed electric propulsion systems for long-duration near-space travels by using solar energy could be based on the electrohydrodynamic force produced inside a corona discharge. This paper is a contribution to a better understanding of these types of thrusters, in order to enhance the produced thrust and their electromechanical effectiveness. Three different simple designs are experimentally studied and compared. The first one is composed of a wire active electrode and a single cylinder grounded one. For the second three-electrode design, the single grounded cylinder is replaced by two cylinders. Finally, the last design is composed of an active wire supplied by a positive voltage, two grounded electrodes and two others cylinders at a negative voltage. On one hand, results show that the use of two grounded electrode instead of a single one results in an increase of the discharge current. Moreover, whatever the electrode gap d, the current-to-thrust conversion is more effective with the three-electrode design. It changes from 31 to 58 N/A (+87%), from 74 to 85 N/A (+15%), and from 104 to 120 N/A (+15%), for electrode gaps d = 10, 20 and 30 mm, respectively. The thruster effectiveness θ is improved by 2 mN/W. On the other hand, the use of two collecting electrodes supplied by a negative high voltage does not result in an effectiveness enhancement because the power consumption is significantly increased.     

Flow distribution and pressure of air due to ionic wind in pin-to-plate corona discharge system

An electrohydrodynamic investigation has been carried out in a pin-to-plate gas discharge system to clarify the mechanism of repulsive force generation between a pin and plate electrode at corona discharge. Numerical calculations have been conducted in two steps. First, the axi-cylindrical static corona discharge field was calculated with the finite-element method to deduce the Coulombic body force ρ E applied to the air, where ρ is the charge density and E is the electric field, and then the induced ionic wind was calculated with the finite differential method. The calculated pressure distribution on the plate electrode was on the order of 10 Pa which was in good agreement with the measured pressure distribution. The calculated air velocity at the center was several m/s and was confirmed by a time-of-flight experiment and the velocity distribution near the pin electrode also agreed with measurements using a laser Doppler velocimeter. Pressure and wind velocity were increased at high-applied voltage. These results confirm that the ionic wind is the cause of the repulsive force to the pin electrode at the corona discharge.     

Comparative study of two different measuring methods for corona current pulses

Based on a designed coaxial cylindrical corona discharge platform, this paper compares two methods for the measurement of corona current pulse, namely from cage side and conductor side both at low potential. It is found that the corona pulse can be obtained from both methods and the waveform of the current pulse is highly dependent on the sampling resistor. Then two simplified models are proposed to interpret the experimental results and the relationship between the two measurement methods. It shows that the key point in accurately measuring the corona current pulse is the selection of suitable sampling resistor.     

A fundamental characteristic and image analysis of liquid flow in an AW type EHD pump

Non-intrusive two-phase fluid pumping based on an electrohydrodynamically (EHD) induced flow phenomenon with free liquid surface exposed to gas-phase corona discharges is experimentally investigated. Dielectric liquid flow generated near a corona discharge electrode progresses toward an inclined plate electrode, and then climbs up the surface against the gravitational force for an air-wave (AW) type EHD pump. The AW type EHD pump is operated on ionic wind field along the inclined plate electrode. The pumping performance of time-averaged liquid flow rate and the liquid-phase flow motion are characterized. The liquid flow characteristics related to a dimensionless parameter of corona discharge fields are presented.     

空气电晕放电中的OH自由基发射光谱

测量了大气压下向空气中喷射不饱和水蒸气的电晕放电产生的OH自由基的发射光谱。通过对光谱线强度变化的分析,研究了电场强度、放电方式、水蒸气比例等因素对OH自由基产生过程的影响,及OH自由基浓度在放电反应空间的分布特点。     

Study of a new electrostatic precipitator with asymmetrical wire-to-cylinder configuration for cement particles collection

In this paper, a new electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with asymmetrical wire-to-cylinder configuration is investigated experimentally and numerically. The main objective is to evaluate the collection efficiency of high resistivity particles.The electrical measurements show that the corona discharge behavior is similar to that obtained in symmetrical wire-to-cylinder configuration. Results show that the collection efficiency can reach 95% in the case of negative corona discharge.In order to understand the particle trajectories inside the ESP, the experimental results are compared with numerical simulation by using a coupled model. Numerical results indicate that particles can be collected on the collecting electrode backside.     

Ion current density profiles in negative corona gaps versus EHD confinements

This paper deals with the electric and hydrodynamic confinement of negative ions in a point-to-plane corona discharge gap. Radial ion current density profiles have been measured on the earthed planar electrode, drilled in the axis of the point. The experimental setup is first validated by comparison with the Warburg's law without injected gas flow rate. The gas injected in the gap and blown from the discharge gap through the hole located at the centre of the plane affects neither the electric field close to the point nor the subsequent electric wind. However, it leads to the confinement of ions flux towards the central symmetry axis in the low electric field region up to a critical gas velocity, which for no more effect is measurable. Hence, electro hydro-dynamics confinement of ions can be achieved by limiting the outward radial expansion of ions to increase ion current densities on specific locations close to the low field planar electrode.