An experimental study of relative humidity and air flow effects on positive and negative corona discharges in a corona-needle charger

In this paper, the effects of inlet air RH and air flow rate on positive and negative corona discharges in a corona-needle charger have been experimentally studied and discussed. Its corona discharge characterizations in terms of current-to-voltage relationships of the corona-needle charger on the effects of inlet air RH and air flow rate were evaluated at applied corona voltages between 0 and 3.1 kV, an air flow rates between 5 and 15 L/min, a relative humidity between 20 and 90%, and an operating pressure of about 101.3 kPa. Experimental results were shown that discharge current is strongly affected by the RH level of the inlet air. The positive discharge current was found to be decreased with increasing RH value at RH values below 60% and increased with increasing RH value at RH value above 60% in the same corona voltage. The negative discharge current was found to be stable with increasing RH value at RH values below 40% and increased with increasing RH value at RH value above 40% in the same corona voltage. For the air flow rate effects, the positive discharge current was found to slightly decrease when the air flow rate increased at RH value below 90% and to increase with the air flow rate at RH value of 90%. For the negative corona, the discharge current was also found to monotonically decrease when the air flow rate increased.     

Experimental and modelling study of the dependence of corona discharge on electrode geometry and ambient electric field

The results of experimental observations and mathematical modeling of corona formation on the tips of grounded rods are presented as a function of their tip height, curvature radius, the magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field producing corona. The investigations demonstrate that corona current depends on the active volume of zone in which electric field strength exceeds the breakdown criteria for air. The mathematical model was verified with the experimental data, enabling dependence of corona current on rod tip height, tip radius and applied electric field strength to be quantified with the need for a plethora of experiments.     

Effect of air flow on corona discharge in wire-to-plate electrostatic precipitator

This paper analyses corona discharge in ambient air with laboratory-scaled wire-to-plate electrostatic precipitator (WPESP). The electric field is behind the electro hydrodynamic (EHD) flow in air. Its measurements provide complementary results for the corona discharge study because the classical theory based on the current and voltage data is unsatisfactory. Taking into account the dynamic air flow velocity is perpendicular to the active wires, measurement method of the positive and negative DC corona current density and electric field, has been introduced. It has been shown also that the dynamic air flow velocity modifies the current density and the electric field distributions on the planes surfaces of the WPESP.     

Current analysis of DC negative corona discharge in a wire-cylinder configuration at high ambient temperatures

To study the characteristics of DC negative corona discharge in a wire-cylinder configuration at an ambient temperature range of 350–850 °C, the I–V characteristics and the current composition are analyzed under different conditions. A simple method is proposed to determine the DC corona onset threshold voltage. At high ambient temperatures, in the DC negative corona discharge gap, some electrons are not attached to the electronegative gas molecules and move to the anode tube. Thus, these electrons form an electron current, which may account for most of the total discharging current. The ratio of the electron current to the total discharging current increases with increasing temperature. In a mixture of O₂ and N₂ and a mixture of CO₂ and N₂, the ratio of electron current increases with increasing N₂ content in the mixtures. The cathode material has little influence on the corona discharge characteristics at high ambient temperatures.     

Influence of corona on strike probability of grounded electrodes by high voltage discharges

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the influence of corona formation processes at the tips of grounded rod electrodes on the probability of those rods being “struck” by high-voltage discharges. Experiments simulating the final stage of the attachment process were carried out with a composite voltage comprising a simultaneously applied impulse and DC potential of different levels to grounded rod electrodes simulating lightning rods, featuring either a spherical or pointed (conical) tip. The experiments show that corona does not influence the probability of the electrode being struck until a critical electric field (EF) strength is reached.     

Impact of fine particles on the direct current electric field of the conductor due to corona discharge

Corona-generated ionized field is an essential electromagnetic parameter of high voltage direct current transmission lines. In order to investigate the impact of atmospheric fine particles on the DC ionized field, distributions of the ground-level ionized field and ion current density were measured under various air contamination extents in a wire-to-ground platform. The fine particles were generated from burning incense. Measurement results show that the magnitude of ground-level ionized field may increase approximately by 20% when particles in the order of 10² μg m⁻³ exist in air. Restriction effect on the ionized field by using grounded shielding lines was also examined.     

Laboratory ignition of hydrogen and carbon disulphide in the atmospheric air by positive corona discharge

Experimental attempts of ignition of sensitive explosive atmospheres by continuous positive corona discharges in coaxial electrode system were conducted in laboratory conditions. Sixty five explosions of hydrogen (H₂) and forty of carbon disulphide (CS₂) were forced. Both atmospheres were ignited by the minimum power 1–2 W, the minimum ignition current 100–130 μA at the ignition voltages 12–30 kV (for CS₂) and 16.5–25 kV (H₂). To prevent the energetic sparks, the high voltage resistor 1 MΩ was introduced in series with corona wire.     

Experimental observation of negative differential characteristic of corona discharge in ultraviolet spectrum

Corona discharge is a self-sustained discharge which appears at electrodes with a small radius curvature in gas insulation. An almost invisible glow occurs just above the inception voltage. Corona phenomenon is mainly used in electro-technological processes to obtain space charge for electrostatic precipitation, separation of different particles, electrostatic liquid or solid coating, neutralization of space charge, etc. All of these processes rely on a strong nonhomogeneous electric field generated by a point – plate electrode system. When the critical value of the applied voltage is reached, the ionization processes near the point electrode start and give rise to the current between two electrodes. If the pointed electrode is positive, it is possible to observe an anomaly of the current – voltage (I-U) characteristic for the point-plate space. It means that while the voltage is raising the current density decreases in a narrow voltage area (2–3 kV). The anomaly was technically named as negative differential conductivity (dI/dU < 0). Unstable current can have a negative influence on electro-technological processes. The anomaly was detected for different shapes and materials of the electrode as well as for various temperatures and distances between electrodes. An oxidation layer, which appears on the metal electrode, also influences the ionization processes near the pointed electrode and causes a decrease of a current. In this paper measuring of the discharge activity in a point – plate electrode system is presented. Ionization of gas atoms and molecules in a high electric field and the following recombination of electrons and positive ions in the corona region can give rise to high-energy photons which produce new electrons in the field of discharge. Corona discharges are detected by DayCor Corona camera which can register UV emission generated by corona in a day light. The experiment was conducted with various shapes of the pointed electrode and distances between the high voltage and the grounded electrode under applied direct voltage with positive and negative polarity.     

高灵敏度绝缘子电晕放电检测系统研究

绝缘子是电力系统中非常重要的一类电气设备,由于电、热、机械力、污秽的积累等环境因素的作用会使其绝缘性能出现劣化和下降,可能使得绝缘子的表面形成放电,甚至会发生沿面闪络,危害了电力系统的安全。在此基础上提出基于日盲紫外线精确测试紫外线强度的方法,研制了基于日盲紫外线检测技术的绝缘子电晕放电检测装置,通过不同劣化程度和不同污秽条件的盘行悬式瓷绝缘子的实际测试,验证了该装置通过日盲紫外线强度的监测能够定性判断绝缘子的劣化程度和污秽程度,为输电线路绝缘子实时状态监测提供依据。     

Effects of corona discharge on the surface structure, morphology and properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by corona discharge and then heat treated in the air. The influences of corona discharge parameters such as treatment time and processing power were investigated. The results of energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups onto the surface of the MWCNTs after heat treatment. The water contact angle tests showed that the hydrophobicity of the MWCNTs was decreased to some extent. The static water contact angle was reduced from 146° to 122° when the time of the corona discharge treatment reached 3 min at the processing power of 200 W. The enhanced thermomechanical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites filled with the corona discharge treated MWCNTs were observed. The modified MWCNTs conferred better properties on the composites than the pristine MWCNTs because of the improved dispersion of MWCNTs in matrix and the enhanced interfacial interaction between the treated MWCNTs and epoxy.     

New insights into corona discharge surface ionization of polyethylene terephthalate via a combined computational and experimental assessment

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of corona discharge ionization on chemical and physical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers using computational and experimental studies. In the computational section, the vibrational frequencies of proposed models for PET before and after corona discharge treatment were predicted in the liquid phase at both the B3LYP/6-31G/COSMO and B3PW91/6-31G/COSMO level of theories using the harmonic approximation. When compared to B3LYP, the frequencies obtained for the B3PW91 show a better linear correlation with the experimental data. Furthermore, experimental studies were carried out by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). Experimental evidence indicated that the corona discharge modifies the surface of fibers and also increases the reactivity of PET toward cationic dyes. Our combined computational and experimental parametric study clearly confirms that the changes occurred on the PET surface due to corona discharge ionization.     

Comparative study of corona discharge simulation techniques for electrode configurations inducing non-uniform electric fields

Numerical modeling of corona discharges has followed the same set of procedures for many years. Corona discharges on large scales are modeled only for ion drift, neglecting ionization. Studies of the ionization zone are often conducted in uniform axisymmetric configurations. However, in configurations that induce non-uniform electric fields, a combination of the two procedures is necessary to accurately capture the discharge physics and ion distribution. The present study conducts numerical simulations of a wire-cylinder corona using both the models and demonstrates the necessity of including the ionization physics to obtain improved accuracy, particularly in the presence of non-uniform electric fields.     

Modulation effect produced by adjacent AC voltage on the characteristics of negative corona current pulses in a wire-cylinder electrode configuration

In this paper, a wire-cylinder electrode system was designed to study the negative DC corona pulses due to the influence of AC voltage applied to an adjacent conductor. The corona onset voltage and distribution pattern and the parameters of the corona current pulses such as the rise time, pulse duration and the average pulse amplitude are systematically analyzed. The AC voltage is found to have an interesting modulation effect on the time interval of the current pulses. At last, based on a simplified ion cloud model, a full explanation is given to reveal the mechanism behind the influence of the AC voltage on negative DC corona.     

Preparation of zeolite nanorods by corona discharge plasma for degradation of phenazopyridine by heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like process

The plasma-modified clinoptilolite (PMC) nanorods were prepared from natural clinoptilolite (NC) utilizing environmentally-friendly corona discharge plasma. The PMC and NC were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XPS and BET, which confirmed the nanocatalyst formation. The catalytic performance of the PMC in the heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like process was greater than the NC for treatment of phenazopyridine (PhP). The desired amounts were obtained for experimental parameters including initial pH (5), PMC dosage (2 g/L), K₂S₂O₈ concentration (2 mmol/L), ultrasonic power (300 W) and PhP concentration (10 mg/L). Reactive oxygen species scavengers decreased the removal efficiency of the PhP. The treatment process followed pseudo-first order kinetic and seven degradation intermediates were identified by the GC–MS technique.     

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.     

Experimental investigation and modeling of corona characteristics under lightning impulses

An experimental study is conducted on the corona characteristics under lightning impulses. The charge-voltage characteristics, i. e. the Q-U curves, are measured in a corona cage. The impulse waveshapes are varied to investigate their influence on the Q-U curves. Meanwhile, a corona model is proposed to compute the Q-U curves. The ionized zone is simplified as a cylindrosymmetric geometry and a one-dimensional subdivision is made in the radial direction. The Q-U curves can be given by performing an efficient computational procedure. The computed results are compared with the measured ones to check the validity of the model.     

Influence of conductivity on corona discharge current from a water droplet and on ejection of nano-sized droplets

The influence of the conductivity of a water droplet formed at a capillary electrode on the negative corona discharge and production of nano-sized droplets was investigated. Conductivity of a water droplet was adjusted from 1 μS/cm of deionized water to 48 mS/cm of nitric acid water solution. The size distribution of nanometer sized water particles yielded at a disruption of a Taylor cone was measured. The higher conductivity of a droplet, the larger corona pulses appeared and the more number of charged droplets was generated.     

Characteristics of DC discharge in a wire-cylinder configuration at high ambient temperatures

In the present work, the characteristics of direct-current (DC) discharge in a wire-cylinder configuration at an ambient temperature range of 350–850 °C were studied by analyzing photographs of the discharging process and the corresponding V–I characteristics, with the aim of facilitating the application of plasma technology in the fields of energy and the environment. The influences of the ambient temperature, the inter-electrode gap, the gas medium and the cathode material on the DC discharge were investigated. The corona-onset threshold voltage (COTV) and the spark-breakdown threshold voltage (SBTV) decrease as the ambient temperature increases, and the SBTV decreases more rapidly. Increasing the inter-electrode gap enlarges the difference between the SBTV and the COTV. After spark breakdown, in an air atmosphere, glow discharge is more likely to take place under conditions of high ambient temperatures or small inter-electrode gaps. The values of the SBTV in different atmospheres have the following relation: air ≈ O₂ > CO₂. At an ambient temperature range of 350–850 °C and in an atmosphere of N₂, glow discharge and arc discharge occur successively as the output voltage of the power supply is increased, while in an atmosphere of O₂ and CO₂, only corona and arc discharge are successively observed. In an air atmosphere, when the inter-electrode gap is 29 mm, corona, glow and arc discharge occur successively with increasing output voltage when the ambient temperature is 850 °C, while only corona and arc discharge appear when the temperature is 350–750 °C. When the inter-electrode gap is 5 mm in an air atmosphere, corona, glow and arc discharge occur successively in an ambient temperature range of 350–850 °C. The cathode material has a minor influence on the COTV and a more significant influence on the SBTV. In a device using a cathode with a low work function, the SBTV is low, and the power to maintain arc discharge is small.     

Predicted flow characteristics of a wire-nonparallel plate type electrohydrodynamic gas pump using the Finite Element Method

The aim of this paper is to numerically investigate the interaction between the electrostatic field and the fluid flow in a wire-nonparallel plate configuration of electrodes. The governing equations: Poisson equation for electric field, continuity equation for charge transport and the momentum equation for gas flow were solved using the Finite Element Method assuming a highly non-uniform mesh distribution. The main outcome of this study is the determination of velocity versus pressure characteristics of the pump, which provides useful information for predicting the pump performance and for control purposes. In addition, the efficiency and optimum geometric configuration are evaluated using this model. The numerical results show that a higher voltage leads to larger velocity and higher pressure, where the gas velocity is a linear, but pressure is a non-linear function of the supplied voltage. It was also found that there is an optimum wall angle for which the air volumetric flow rate from the outlet of the pump reaches the maximum value.