Electron Swarm Parameters and Dielectric Properties of the Superconducting Binary Mixtures of He-H2

Abstract

In this study, the electron energy distribution function EEDF, the electron swarm parameters, the effective ionization coefficients, and the critical field strength (dielectric strength) in binary He-H2 gas mixture which used as cryogenic for high-temperature superconducting power application, are evaluated by using two-term approximation of the Boltzmann equation over the range of E/N ( the electric field to gas density) from 1 to 100 Td ( 1 Td=10-17 Vcm2) at temperature 77 K and pressure 2MPa, taking into account elastic and inelastic cross-section. Using the calculated EEDF, the electron swarm parameters (electron drift velocity, mean electron energy, diffusion coefficient, electron mobility, ionization and attachment coefficient) are calculated. At low reduced electric field E/N, the EEDF close Maxwellian distribution, at high E/N, due to vibrational excitation of H2 the calculated distribution function is non-Maxwellian. Besides, in the He-H2 mixture, it is found that increasing small amount of H2 enhances to shift the tail of EEDF to the lower energy region, the reduced ionization coefficient α/N. reduced effective ionization coefficient (α-η)/N) decreases, while, reduced attachment coefficient η/N, reduced critical electric field strength (E/N)crt. and critical electric field Ecrt. Increases, because of hydrogen’s large ionization cross-sections. The dielectric strength of 5% H2 in mixture is in good agreement with experimental values, it is found that dielectric strength depend on pressure and temperature. The electron swarm parameters in pure gaseous helium (He) and hydrogen (H2), in satisfying agreement with previous available theoretical and experimental values. The validity of the calculated values has been confirmed by two-term approximation of the Boltzmann equation analysis.